tempo debussy la cathedrale engloutie.

[lfnunez]

If anyone of you has studied Debussy's prelude La Cathedrale engloutie what metronome mark should I use? I'm really having trouble keeping time, in some passages I feel like I am going too slow some parts I go too fast. What is the recommended tempo for this piece?

Cheers

[j_menz]

Debussy gave a mood, not a tempo - you must find that for yourself.

[michael_c]

Debussy wasn't keen on giving metronome markings for his pieces. Here's what he wrote to a publisher who asked him to provide such markings:

You know what I think about metronome marks: they're right for a single bar, like 'roses, with a morning life'. Only there are 'those' who don't hear music and who take these marks as authority to hear it still less! But do what you please.

For more on rubato and tempo in Debussy, look here: https://www.djupdal.org/karstein/debussy/method/m06.shtml

[dogperson]

Debussy

For more on rubato and tempo in Debussy, look here: https://www.djupdal.org/karstein/debussy/method/m06.shtml

Thanks so much, Michael, for posting this link.  Very insightful

[lfnunez]

Thank you all so much for your answers well appreciated. I guess I have to find my own way of playing this piece. It's very beautiful and I'm glad my teacher assigned it to me.