La Mer

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La Mer, trois esquisses symphoniques pour orchestre (“The Sea, three symphonic sketches for orchestra”) is an orchestral work by the French composer Claude Debussy. La Mer is a masterpiece of suggestion and subtlety in its rich depiction of the ocean, combining unusual orchestration with daring impressionistic harmonies. The composition has proven very influential, and its use of sensuous tonal colors and innovative orchestration methods have influenced many later composers.

The work is performed by Les Siècles, a Paris-based orchestra which plays each repertoire on appropriate period instruments. For this recording, the orchestra uses French instruments from the early 20th century, recreating the sound and the colors of the orchestra that premiered the piece in 1905 in Paris.

Les Siècles was founded in 2003 by François-Xavier Roth, one of today’s most charismatic and enterprising conductors. Born in Paris in 1971, Roth works with leading orchestras such as the Berlin Philharmonic and Staatskapelle, Amsterdam Royal Concertgebouw, Boston Symphony and Zurich Tonhalle, as well as conducting Cologne’s Gürzenich Orchestra and Opera. He assumed the role of Principal Guest Conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra at the start of the 2017-18 season.