Chamber Series to play Debussy

Claude Debussy's songs, while not huge in number, are nevertheless among the most significant and musically stunning additions to the French art song repertoire from the turn of the last century.

Among this collection is the "Trois Chansons des Bilitis." Published in 1897, the songs are based on three poems from Pierre Louÿs' book of prose "Chansons des Bilitis." Louÿs claimed these were translations of poetry by the ancient Greek courtesan Bilitis, a contemporary of Sappho. In truth, however, these were poems that Louÿs himself had written. But they were so cleverly and convincingly constructed that even scholars of the time believed them to be genuine.

Debussy, who was a good friend of Louÿs, was captivated by the poems and set three of them to music: "La Flute de Pan," "La Chevelure" and "Le Tombeau des Naïdes," all of which brilliantly capture the sensuality and the hedonism expressed in the words.

The "Trois Chansons de Bilitis" will receive a rare local performance Monday, part of this summer's Intermezzo Chamber Music Series. Singing will be mezzo-soprano Kirsten Gunlogson accompanied by pianist Kimi Kawashima. Also on the rather eclectic program will be music by György Ligeti, Christopher Theofanidis and Carl Nielsen.

" ('Trois Chansons de Bilitis') is an amazing work," Gunlogson told the Deseret News. "The poetry is fantastic, and the way Debussy sets it is fabulous."

Monday's concert will be the first time Gunlogson will sing the work, and she and Kawashima have had a great time working on it. "We're sinking deeply into them, and it's amazing how the texture and the mood transport you to someplace else."

The three songs aren't particularly challenging for the singer, Gunlogson said. "They're not taxing on the voice. But what makes them hard is how you communicate them to your audience. The colors and textures are rich and the songs are extremely sensual and fantastical, and you need to be able to convey that to your listeners. The songs paint an incredible picture."

When the Deseret News spoke with Gunlogson she was in Austin, Texas, at the International Clarinet Association conference, where she was going to perform. That and the upcoming Intermezzo concert are just a couple of things that have kept the Alaska native fairly active this summer. "Actually, this summer has been a bit lighter than usual, which is nice, especially since the year was so busy. This gives me a chance to catch up."