"Canope" (Debussy) orchestration

This is a piece that I consider to be special. I have spent weeks working on it bit by bit, making one decision after another.

It is Prelude No. 10 from Debussy’s Second Book, entitled ‘Canope’.

A canope is the vessel in which the remains of mummies were stored in ancient Egypt; these were sealed with small sculptures of Anubis’s head.

The piano piece is spectacular, with harmonies that defy all logic within the tonal world.

I’m providing the score in concert pitch and in transposed pitch.

Canope concert pitch.pdf Canope transposed pitch.pdf

Link to the piano original version:

Edited June 29Jun 29 by Luis Hernández

A very successful orchestration 😊. I enjoyed listening to it. Great balance and color!

Mark

Hi Luis,

This is a great piece to choose for orchestration! I'm sure I've played this on the piano in the past.

It uses one of Debussy's favourite tricks with its harmonic planing, and has some lovely impressionist touches.

I wonder, are there any other orchestrated versions; or is yours the first?

Using a choir of flutes was a neat idea, and I like your harp harmonics (near the start).

Also harp with glockenspiel is an effective combination that I probably wouldn't have thought of.

My only wish is that you had slightly better instrument libraries to do justice to your score, as the rendition doesn't always sound fully realistic.

Wonderful orchestration - lovely, lovely color!

I find this orchestration to be incredibly balanced - fresh and innovative, while holding to the character of the original. As @Alex Weidmann said, I also think the flute choir was an excellent idea.

Your choices feel very intentional, and I enjoyed listening to your orchestration! I would love to see how you might approach something by Bonds or Price.