The Engulfed Cathedral (La cathédrale engloutie) is a solo piano piece composed by Claude Debussy in 1910. It is the tenth prelude in his Préludes, Book I and is a stunning example of musical impressionism.
Anthony Galla-Rini has arranged 9 accordion parts (labelled for orchestra parts too) plus bass and two percussion lines.
The piece is inspired by the legend of an ancient Breton myth about a submerged cathedral that rises from the sea on clear mornings. Debussy’s composition evokes the mystical emergence of the cathedral, with bell-like harmonies, chant-like melodies, and rich, resonant chords that suggest the grandeur of an organ.
