Tonal Axis and Motives in Debussy's "C'est l'extase langoureuse"
Martha K. Scharff♦
Dr. Thomas Hueber, Faculty Mentor

C'est l'extase langoureuse is the first song from the six song cycle Ariettes oubliées by Claude Debussy. This song cycle was composed between 1885 and 1888. Although it is the first song in the cycle, it was one of the last of the six songs to be composed. In the song, Debussy displays techniques that are very characteristic of his early compositions. These techniques are the use of motives, harmonic movement based on triads, while keeping a sense of tonality, and the appearance of tonal centers that are implied by the use of the dominant chord from that tonal center. The implied tonal centers help to create a tonal axis. Debussy uses the motives and tonal centers to reflect what is happening in the song. This session will include a performance of the song.