Claude Debussy: La Mer

Debussy. Yes, he’s French. All jokes and sarcasm pertaining to the French and their music aside, “La Mer” is a brilliant piece. It’s rather dated sounding, yes, but that is part of the beauty of it. Written between 1903 and 1905, Debussy was ahead of his time when he composed this work. There is something about it that screams 1940’s film soundtrack campiness. Even 1960’s, really. You know, Hitchcock, Bond, whatever. Dude was writing mid-20th century movie music at the turn of the century. That’s just bad-ass.
But what I really should be talking about is the fact that in three movements, Debussy depicted everything there is to see and feel about being near the ocean. Calm contemplation, rough and manic storms, exploration, majestic elation--it’s all there. Have a listen. La Mer speaks for itself.