Call for papers: Claude Debussy’s Legacy
Claude Debussy’s Legacy: Du Rêve for Future Generations
International Conference – February 29 to March 3, 2012
To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Claude Debussy (1862-1918), l’Observatoire international de création et des cultures musicales (OICCM) is organizing an international conference, under the auspices of activities generated by the Equipe musique française associated with its Laboratoire musique, histoire et société.
Context
Debussy studies have developed considerably during the past twenty years and promise to produce a significant renewal in the reception of his work. Many new compositions have been brought to light and published (especially—but not exclusively—resulting from work on the ongoing critical edition), a new and considerably enriched edition of the correspondence was published in 2005, and many groundbreaking studies have focused on Debussy’s style and musical language (harmony, form, structure). Musical culture, art, and French society during the Third Republic have seen a similar explosion of interest among researchers, including studies of musical teaching institutions, public concert societies, music in salons, the press and music publishing, and the influence of politics. All of this has opened the way to better insight on the composer in his context and allows reflection on the way he interacted with his social and cultural milieu as he evolved.
Themes of the conference
The conference will take stock of recent developments in Debussy studies and explore the new perspectives they open up on our understanding of the composer’s legacy, including such subjects as:
- The characteristics and originality of Debussy’s musical language (harmony, rhythm, orchestration, form, development)
- The relationship between Debussy’s aesthetics and the literature and arts of his time (academic, symbolist, impressionist, naturalist, café concert)
- The links between Debussy and the intellectual, political, and social life of his period (the Boulanger crisis, the Dreyfus affair, the First World War etc.)
- The stylistic influence of Debussy on the music of his period and on the Debussyste movement, his relationships with others in the musical world (Gabriel Fauré, Vincent d’Indy, Alfred Bruneau, Maurice Rravel, Manuel de Falla, Igor Stravinksy et al.)
- Performances of Debussy’s music
- Debussy and his interactions with institutions of his period (the Conservatoire, Schola Cantorum, concert societies, opera houses, music publishers, salons)
- The reception of Debussy’s work in France and abroad
- Debussy’s writings as critic, letter-writer, poet, and creative writer.
Papers’ presentation
Abstracts should be between 750 and 1000 words long and be made up of three sections: 1) topic (with reference to one or more of the proposed themes); 2) research methodology; and 3) findings/results. Abstracts must be accompanied by a selective bibliography.
Papers are limited to 20 minutes. Abstracts must be followed by a short biography of the author (or the first two authors for collaborative projects), including his/her academic affiliation and e-mail address. Abstracts in French or English (the language of the proposal shall be the same as that of the abstract) must be sent by e-mail, within the text or as an attachment (preferably a Word file) to the following address: sebastien.leblanc-proulx@umontreal.ca
A panel of specialists will evaluate abstracts anonymously. The conference proceedings will be published by the OICCM. Abstracts should be sent no later than December 1st , 2010.
The OICCM is pleased to fund two travel grants designated for two students from outside Montreal who submit the best abstracts.
The following distinguished scholars have been invited to speak : Richard Langham Smith (Royal College of Music, U.K.) Denis Herlin (CNRS, France) David Grayson (University of Minnesota, U.S.) Matthew Brown (Eastman School of Music, U.S.) Jean-Michel Nectoux (CNRS, France) Roy Howat (Royal Academy of Music, U.K.) Boyd Pomeroy (University of Arizona, U.S.) David J. Code (University of Glasgow, U.K.) Simon Trezise (University of Dublin, Ireland) Robert Orledge (University of Liverpool, U.K.)
Organizing and Scientific Committee
François de Médicis (francois.de.medicis@umontreal.ca) Professeur agrégé, Faculté de musique, Université de Montréal
Michel Duchesneau
Professeur agrégé, Faculté de musique, Université de Montréal, Directeur de l’OICCM
Steven Huebner
James McGill Professor, Schulich School of Music, McGill University
Richard Langham Smith
Head of Graduate Studies, Royal College of Music
For information:
Sébastien Leblanc-Proulx, for the organizing and scientific committee (sebastien.leblancproulx@umontreal.ca)
Observatoire international de la création et des cultures musicales
Faculté de musique – Université de Montréal
C.P. 6128, succ. Centre-Ville Montréal (Québec), Canada, H3C 3J7
Phone: (514) 343-6111 extension 2801 Fax: (514) 343-5727
E-mail: info-oiccm@umontreal.ca
Website: www.oiccm.umontreal.ca
