Light and movement: Debussy, Music, and the Book of Nature

Join us for an evening of Debussy's music with talks exploring his artistic context and motivation.

When Debussy spoke about his understanding of music, he used rich imagery drawn from the visual arts and from poetry, but above all he believed that a composer must ‘read the book of nature’. Debussy was an agnostic, but the ‘book of nature’ was a key idea in medieval Christian thought. This evening will blend live performance of some of Debussy’s music with talks exploring his artistic context and motivation: might Christians today also gain from taking up the ‘book of nature’?

When | Thursday 30 March 2023, 7.30 - 9.30pm

Where | St Albans Cathedral 

Led by | The Revd Iain Lane and Prof. Florian Mitrea 

Cost | £12.50 (includes interval drink)

About Iain Lane and Florian Mitrea

The Revd Iain Lane is a tutor in Theology and the Visual Arts, and a member of the Tutor Panel for the Adult Learning programme at St Albans Cathedral. 

Florian Mitrea is a British/Romanian musician described by Martha Argerich as ‘an outstanding young pianist’. An alumnus and professor at the Royal Academy of Music in London, he is an award-winning soloist with an international performing and teaching career.

Photo of Florian Mitrea © Hidekazu Kurumiya

This talk is part of a series exploring Light in Science and Faith, and is supported by ECLAS (Equipping Christian Leadership in an Age of Science). 

How to Book

You can book online here using the button below, or by calling the Learning Administrator on 01727 890212 between 9.30am and 3.30pm Monday to Friday. Tickets will be on sale until 12noon on the day of the event. Please ensure that you provide a current email address when you book. 

Clergy and Readers in St Albans Diocese have complimentary access to our Adult Learning courses, talks, study days, and reading groups. For clergy/Reader bookings, please email [email protected] with your name and role and we will confirm your place.

The main image of fireworks has been chosen because one of the pieces to be played is Debussy's Feux d'artifice.