[Debussy] No C in Reflets dans l'eau

[shalashaska]

Hello everyone,

I'm currently learning Reflets dans l'eau from Debussy, and a question came to me while reading the sheet music. In measures 30, I don't understand why for in the last descending run B-A-G-C, Debussy skips the C (see my screen, it's the second measure).

I mean I don't feel that anyone could make a difference with or without it, and it makes the passage a bit harder.

So I have two questions :
1) Why this detail ?
2) How would you play it ? I feel like (starting from the B) 4-3-2-1-3-2 is not that comfortable, so I'm trying to to use Left hand 2-3-4 then right hand 4-3-2.

thank you for your help !

[thorn]

1) I never thought too much of it, but I suppose it's to break the pattern (which he also does rhythmically by writing a slower group of 10) and prepare for the largely pentatonic harmony which comes afterwards.

2) When I first learned this piece I played the LH 2-3-4/RH 4-3-2 way that you mentioned. But coming back to it a few years later I personally found playing it all with the RH (5-4-3-1-4-3-2-1-3-2) keeps the sound more even, even though it's less comfortable.