La cathédrale engloutie

This single edition – it is number 10 in the first volume of the Préludes (HN 383) of 1910 – shows the extent of Debussy’s imagination as he conjures up the old city of Ys that has sunk into the sea. Debussy enjoyed playing this piece himself and also left behind a recording on piano roll. This gives important insights into his tempi. The term prélude, reminiscent of Chopin, makes clear the return to traditional forms, which the now established composer was slowly embracing once again. The programmatic title, as with all of the Préludes, is only given at the end of the piece, thus underlining its passing significance.