Download Debussy

Claude Debussy: Prélude à L’Après-midi d’un Faune
French composer: Claude Debussy (1862-1918), linked the romantic era with the
twentieth century. His works are associated with the impressionistic movement in art by their
invocation of mood, color, and fluidity. While impressionism has been the enduring term for his
musical style, Debussy was more influenced by symbolist writers, whose poetry inspired many
of his works. A common theme is apparent in both impressionism and symbolism: the rebellion
against traditional conventions. As Debussy later stated, he felt that music should “be enriched
by other scales [than the major and minor scale of European music] . . . Rhythms are stifling.
Rhythms cannot be contained within bars . . . There should be an interminable flow of
[rhythms].” Debussy’s piece Prelude to The Afternoon of a Faun was inspired by a poem by
Mallarmé, evoking the dreams and erotic fantasies of a pagan forest creature who is half man,
half goat.
Listening Tips:
The prelude is in A-B-A form. In this excerpt, the first A section is heard, beginning with
an unaccompanied flute melody. The music’s vague pulse and wandering melodies create a
dreamlike and improvisatory feel. The opening melody is heard again and again, faster, slower,
and against a variety of colorful chords and instrumental tone colors, with a continuous ebb and
flow. At the end of the excerpt, the melody sounds leads to the most distinct closing gesture of
the piece thus far. This excerpt is the first of three large sections in the piece; the third section
recalls the melody from the first.
Listening Guide:
00:00
Main melody
Unaccompanied flute followed by harp
glissando and soft horn calls. Pauses.
00:58
02:02
Main melody repeated with new
Repeat main melody, flute, strings in
accompaniment
background. Orchestral becomes loud.
Main melody varied
Flute, main melody varied and expanded.
Harp and muted strings accompany.
02:45
Melody repeated
Melody is repeated and speeds up, leading
to close of first section of piece.
03:17
End