From Poetry to Music…

A network of imagination bridged by Debussy

Mon. 10 November 2025 19:00

NATIONAL LIBRARY OF GREECE
Book Castle, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center

The programme follows the paths of inspiration: Debussy is inspired by Bilitiis's erotic poetry (Bilitis is supposed to be a devotee of Sapho), and frames it with emotive, atmospheric soundscapes, while his contemporary composer and classmate, Maurice Emmanuel studies the ancient Greek music and is seduced by the former's innovative attitude. The posterior Japanese composer, Toru Takemitsu draws original material from the Japanese musical tradition, while assimilating Debussy's writing emotiveness, elliptical move and asymmetrical rhythms, as characteristically projected in his work, Rain Spell (1982.

Event Programme

CLAUDE DEBUSSY (1862 – 1918)
Les chansons de Bilitis (The Songs of Bilitis), a scenical music for narrator, two flutes, two harps and celesta (1901)

MAURICE EMMANUEL (1862 – 1938)
Sonata for flute, clarinet and piano, Opus 11 (1907)

TŌRU TAKEMITSU (1930 – 1996)
Rain Spell for flute, clarinet, vibraphone, harp and piano (1982)

NATIONAL LIBRARY OF GREECE
Book Castle, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center

Entrance is free for the concert and for the guide tours that take place prior to the concert. Due to limited number of auditors, a priority order will be respected.

Αt 18:00 and 18:30, guided tours will be offered to a limited number of auditors. Α priority order will be respected.