Debussy: Reflets dans l'eau: Rhythm Ambiguity

Question

I'm having some trouble understanding my edition, particularly measures 23-30. For reference, use First Edition, Paris: Durand & Fils, 1905 [1]. I'll also refer to Leipzig: Edition Peters, 1970 [2].

The three problems:

1. Bar between measures 23 and 24 has been omitted. This is likely in error as edition [2] separates these measures. However, it could affect problem #2.

2. Rhythm of measure 24. The notation is quite vague so there are two interpretations, three counting recordings I've found on youtube, and a final, improbable, suggestion.

   1. There are six groupings of notes, 48/32 (48 notes where there would normal be 32 sixty-fourths). This is equivalent to 3/2 (triplets); therefore there are 12 notes per quarter-measure. The last group - of six notes - is therefore played slower. I find this to be most elegant, on paper.
   2. There are 11 groupings of notes, 44/32. This is equivalent to 11/8; therefore there are 11 notes per quarter-measure. The last group - of six notes - is therefore played faster. This is very messy.
   3. There are 46 notes in a measure to be played in equal tempo; therefore a 46/32 tuplet. Aesthetically, I prefer recordings in this style.
   4. Though quite unlikely, it is possible the missing bar of [1] was intended to split measure 24. This would explain why, unlike in subsequent measures, there is no tuple notation - the notes are in fact not tuples.

   All recordings I've found either fall into [2.3] - equal tempo or [2.1] - slowing for the last six notes. I should also point out that I'm not sure what meaning, if any, the particular style of beaming - groups of four beamed into groups of 8 - in measure 24 is intended to convey.

3. Notation "Mesuré" (meaning even or equal) in measure 25 is ambiguous:

   1. "Mesuré" refers to the melody and thus the tempo; the arpeggios in the upper staff are of varying velocity.
   2. "Mesuré" refers to the arpeggios in the upper staff; the melody and tempo therefore vary to match.

   Once again, recordings fall into both categories, though predominantly biased towards [3.2].

I'm not sure how to practice this piece with these uncertainties. While I prefer an even arpeggiation (2.3 and 3.2), I don't want a musically incorrect (or inaccurate) performance. I do not know if Debussy required a strict interpretation of his music but I doubt it, given the ambiguous notation and the "rubato" tempo indication. Nonetheless I'm asking here: what should I do?

Answer 1

"Impressionist composers should be banned from using water as inspiration. Just way too many notes." - don't shoot the pianist

In these circumstances, the composer's manuscript is always a valuable tool to use to determine why a publisher made the decision to do something the way they did. In this case, the manuscript is fortunately available to us freely because of the generosity and collaboration of the international musicians' community.

1. It is highly improbable that not putting a bar line in to divide Measure 23 was a mistake. Judging from the same measure in the manuscript, "measures 23 and 24" are actually measure 23, as Durand and Sons reflect. Moreover, it is unlikely that Debussy made an error and simply forgot to add the bar line: he is otherwise consistent and accurate in his writing.

2. Given what we know from the manuscript, this section should be played very freely, out of time, without a sense of strict tempo, yet evenly. This is the meaning of "like a cadenza". I am not sure what you mean by "aesthetically". Paying attention to the important notes in the line, not the meter, is important here, because there is no meter until "Mesuré". (Think of water.)

3. "Mesuré" here means back to the original meter, and also implies that we have come from a place where there is not as strict a meter (or a different one). The tempo should not vary, outside of a typical rubato of impressionistic music. Going with your 3.1 option is correct, and the groups of 64th notes should be assembled into half-measures for each according to how they are beamed. Durand knows this and reflects it in their edition. The evidence: a prominent melody (rhythmically "superior" to the arpeggios) and the fact that it would be awkward to jump from one time signature to the next.

Congratulations on learning this beautiful piece.