Debussy wrote three sets of Images. The earliest set, the Images oubliées were completed in 1894, and still belong to his romantic period of composition. The two later books appeared in 1905 and 1907 respectively and represent his shifting towards a symbolist style of composition. The movements are programmatic, and are for the most part individually titled. They are significant benchmarks in Debussy’s colourful and extravert life, and deserve their place amongst the most esteemed literature for the instrument.
MARTIN JACOBY 