​An inspiration to countless composers

​​It is one of his finest works: the cycle of three sonatas with which Debussy paid tribute to the French soldiers in World War I, and to the Baroque composers he admired. The three masterpieces became a benchmark for chamber music in the 20th century and inspired countless composers.

Pianist Rik Kuppen opens the concert with Pièces de clavecin by Baroque composer Rameau, who was a model for Debussy, as can be heard in his cello sonata. For his Second Sonata for harp, flute and viola, Debussy, like a sound magician, drew inspiration from music from all over the world. Debussy's music prompted Japanese Toru Takemitsu to become a composer. He depicts rain in his magical Rain Spell, and Claude Vivier was in Ojikawa (stream) also inspired by water, a major theme in Debussy's music.

In Wind Secrets by Celia Swart, natural sounds transport us to a mythical world where nature and poetry merge. A perfect companion piece to Debussy’s Violin Sonata. Lili Boulanger wrote her mystical song cycle Clairières dans le Ciel with inspiration from Debussy.