2つのアラベスクより 第1番

ドビュッシーが20代のころに書いた『2つのアラベスク』の第1曲です。流れるような音の動きがきらきらと続き、やさしく明るい気分にさせてくれます。ピアノを習う人にも人気の曲で、ドビュッシーの曲の入門としてもよく弾かれます。ハープのように広がる音の流れが、春の光や小川を思わせます。This is the first of Debussy's Two Arabesques, written when he was in his twenties. Flowing, sparkling notes run through the piece and put you in a gentle, bright mood. It is popular with piano students and is often played as a first step into Debussy's music. Its harp-like waves of notes may remind you of spring light or a little stream.

アラベスクとは、イスラムの建築などに見られる、植物のつるがからみ合うような曲線のかざりもようのことです。ドビュッシーは、そのもようのように音の線がくねくねとからみ合う音楽を作りました。右手と左手で、3つずつと2つずつの音が同時に進む部分があり、ふしぎな流れが生まれます。An arabesque is a decorative pattern of curving lines, like twisting vines, often seen in Islamic art and architecture. Debussy wrote music in which lines of notes curl and wind around each other like that pattern. In some places, one hand plays groups of three notes while the other plays groups of two, which creates a floating feeling.

曲は1891年に出版されました。このころのドビュッシーはまだ有名ではなく、のちの「月の光」や『海』のような新しい響きはまだ少なめです。それでも、ゆれるような和音や流れる音には、のちのドビュッシーらしさの芽が感じられます。今ではピアノのほか、ハープやギターなど、いろいろな楽器でも演奏されています。The piece was published in 1891. At that time Debussy was not yet famous, and you don't hear as many of the new sounds of his later works like La mer. Still, its swaying chords and flowing notes already show the seeds of his later style. Today it is played not only on piano but also on harp, guitar, and other instruments.