Measures 11 to 14

Development begins at measure 11. In the previous measures, Debussy used traditional harmonic function, but this will not be the case in the following measures.

A pentatonic melodic line using the first measures' rhythmic motive sings over a dominant ninth chord. The melody adds extensions to the chord:

Major and minor triads in parallel motion start as an internal voice but cross the pentatonic melody. The E natural makes the A chord a minor, perfect chord:

A similar process is repeated in measures 13 and 14, this time over a minor seventh chord:

Measures 11 to 14:

Nichole Muller, piano. Courtesy of Piano Society.

---

© 2020 José Rodríguez Alvira. Published by teoria.com