[+] Vis, Jurgen. "Debussy and the War--Debussy, Luther, and Jannequin: Remarks on Part II ('Lent. Sombre') of En blanc et en noir." Cahiers Debussy 15 (Summer 1991): 31-50.
Debussy alternates characteristic French and German themes, respectively La Marseillaise and Ein feste Burg, in the middle section of his En blanc et noir. These themes had become symbols of French and German nationalism, and Debussy uses them to portray the grimness of World War I. By using fragments of Martin Luther's chorale as a symbol of German aggression, Debussy subverts Luther's intentions of congregational unity. He disguises Luther's setting through omissions in both the Stollen and the Abgesang sections. Debussy also infuses programmatic features in the work by recalling warlike elements in the music of Clément Janequin's La Guerre, although he does not use quotation in the same manner as Ein feste Burg.
Works: Debussy: En blanc et noir (31-32, 35-42).
Sources: Luther: Ein feste Burg (32-35, 39-41); Rouget de Lisle: La Marseillaise (32, 35-38, 43); Janequin: La Guerre (45-46).
Index Classifications: 1900s
Contributed by: Katie Lundeen
