Debussy Prelude No. 9 (Book 2) - Hommage a S. Pickwick

[jam8086]

Hey all,

I'm wondering who S. Pickwick, Esq., P.P.M.P.C. is. I read somewhere he is a Charles Dickens character, but why does the beginning of this prelude have the song "Let Freedom Ring/Of Thee I Sing" (not sure of the correct title) in the bass? Is it just a coincidence?

This is probably all some simple classical music trivia that I've somehow missed out on...can anyone help?

[bernhard]

“The Picwick Papers” was the first novel (1836-1837) published by Charles Dickens. Sam Pickwick is the main character, and the story concerns him and his friends Tupman, Snowdgrass and Winkle who go on a journey of observation of men and manners on behalf of the Pickwick Club, of which Mr. Pickwick is the founder and chairman. The several chapters of the book are definitely comic (and very funny too), and Pickwick seems to be and old fool being taken advantage of due to his naivete and ignorance of the ways of the world. Then he acquires a servant, Sam Weller, who is practical good-humoured, resourceful and devoted. From that moment on, Pickwick – although still totally innocent – displays a new found dignity, standing by the values of truth and justice. It is difficult not to compare Pickwick and Weller with Don Quixote and Sancho Panca. At the beginning of the story there seems not much of a plot, but halfway through the book, a plot is provided in the figure of Mrs. Bardell and her unscrupulous lawyers trying to get a load of money out of Pickwick on account of him breaching his promise to marry her. As a result Pickwick goes to prison – and this serves Dickens well in his denunciation of prisons and the parasitic legal profession, and he uses the plot to the full to criticise and make mockery of several legal institutions.

Debussy was a real anglophile, to the point that he insisted his daughter Chouchou be cared by an English nanny (hence most of the titles in “Children’s Corner” being originally in English, not French). He described Dickens’s books as “his best and oldest companion”.

The prelude is obviously an homage to Dickens and the “Pickwick papers”, and as a piece it is just as humorous. The tune in the bass is actually “God Save the King”.

The letters P.P.M.P.C. stand for Perpetual President Member of the Pickwick Club.

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[jam8086]

As always, a very detailed, interesting, and helpful response from Bernhard! Thank you very much! 

I am an American, which is why I recognized the tune as "My Country 'Tis of Thee," (which I incorrectly referred to as "Let Freedom Ring/Of Thee I Sing") and not "God Save the King." Of course, both of these songs follow the same tune, but since Dickens was English, I guess Debussy was quoting "God Save the King."

[bernhard]

As always, a very detailed, interesting, and helpful response from Bernhard! Thank you very much! 

I am an American, which is why I recognized the tune as "My Country 'Tis of Thee," (which I incorrectly referred to as "Let Freedom Ring/Of Thee I Sing") and not "God Save the King." Of course, both of these songs follow the same tune, but since Dickens was English, I guess Debussy was quoting "God Save the King."

You are welcome.