Marche écossaise

Much though he loved this country, its art and its literature, Debussy spoke little English. So there was a certain amount of confusion when a Scottish military gentleman who spoke no French called on the composer in his flat in Paris. It was only when they found an interpreter in the nearby bar Austin that Debussy began to understand that General Meredith Read wanted him to write a march for his clan on an old Scottish tune long associated with the ancients Counts of Ross from whom the General was descended. Well, that’s how the story goes, unlikely though it might be, and it was certainly after some similar (if less picturesque) incident that Debussy wrote his “Scottish March on a folk tune” for piano duet in 1891. The orchestral version was written seven years later.

After a short introduction hinting at the tune, the ancient Ross march is definitively presented by woodwind and trumpet in a passable imitation of Scottish bagpipes. It is repeated in several different orchestral colours before it gives way to a plaintive variant for cor anglais and then flute in a slower middle section. When the march tune returns it is transformed into a jig, one of Debussy’s favourite dances, and it is in this lively rhythmic guise that the piece whirls away to its brilliant conclusion.

When Debussy heard the first performance, which for various reasons was delayed until 1913, he was heard to remark, “But it’s pretty good!” - evidently in some surprise.