Grace note counting - La Serenade Interrompue

[schrohil]

I'm learning Debussy's La Serranade Interrompue and have a question about the grace notes in measure 47. I'm just not sure how the notes fit together since the grace notes arent really counted. My initial attempt was to play the G of the grace note and C together, then grace note G#, then A C E together. This didn't sound quite right so I started playing them independently: grace note G, then C, then grace note G#, then A C E together.

Is there a correct way to play this?

[dw4rn]

I'm assuming that you mean "A C E together", otherwise I'm not really sure I understand.

I think your initial idea was better.
When practicing slowly, I think it's best to do either that, or place both grace notes after right hand C. This way, the grace note clearly lead into the main note, which must be what Debussy intended.

Debussy wants this played "very fast", and if you listen to recordings, it's impossible to discern exactly where the grace notes are played in relation to the RH.

[schrohil]

Yes, A C E together haha. That's what I get posting late at night. I corrected my initial post. Thank you for the suggestion.