Jardins sous la pluie (“Gardens in the Rain”), the third movement of Debussy’s Estampes, paints a vivid picture of a French garden caught in a sudden summer rain. Rapid, delicate passages suggest raindrops rushing through the garden, while fragments of familiar French melodies emerge and disappear within the sparkling texture.

I love the way Debussy transforms the piano into a world of constantly moving light, water, and color—sometimes playful and energetic, sometimes fleeting and delicate. The piece is a wonderful example of his ability to create an entire atmosphere through sound, texture, and subtle changes of color.

Recorded in June 2025.