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Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun

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Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun (French: Prelude a l'apres-midi d'un faune) is a symphonic poem for orchestra by the French composer Claude Debussy, composed in 1894 and first performed in Paris on 22 December 1894 under the conductor Gustave Doret. Inspired by a poem by the French poet Stephane Mallarmé, the roughly ten-minute work favors shifting color, atmosphere and a sinuous flute melody over traditional symphonic development, and is considered a turning point in the history of Western art music and a masterpiece of Impressionist composition.

Facts
Year Created
1894 1
Medium
Symphonic poem for orchestra, scored for three flutes, two oboes, cor anglais, two clarinets, two bassoons, four horns, two harps, antique cymbals and strings 1
Classification
Genre
Musical Composition 1
Medium
Medium (category)
Musical composition 2
Connections

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Music, Art Forms

In Genre

Music, Art Forms

In Movement

Source Wikipedia
Additional Source Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune (Wikipedia)Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun article, lead section, third sentence
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Sources
1. Wikipedia
Wikimedia Foundation
  • Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun article, composition section
    The work is scored for three flutes, two oboes, cor anglais, two clarinets in A and B-flat, two bassoons, four horns, two harps, two crotales and strings.
  • Genre reference
    Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun (French: Prelude a l'apres-midi d'un faune) is a symphonic poem for orchestra by the French composer Claude Debussy, composed in 1894 and first performed in Paris on 22 December 1894 under the conductor Gustave Doret.
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2. Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune (Wikipedia)
  • Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun article, lead section, first sentence
    known in English as Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, is a symphonic poem for orchestra by Claude Debussy, approximately 10 minutes in duration.
  • Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun article, lead section, second sentence
    It was composed in 1894 and first performed in Paris on 22 December 1894, conducted by Gustave Doret.
  • Lead sentence
    Prélude à l'Après-midi d'un faune (L. 86), known in English as Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, is a symphonic poem for orchestra by Claude Debussy, approximately 10 minutes in duration.
  • In Movement: Impressionism, Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun article, lead section, third sentence
    It is one of Debussy's most famous works and is considered a turning point in the history of Western art music, as well as a masterpiece of Impressionist composition.
  • In Group: Symphonies and Orchestral Works, Wikipedia intro
    86), known in English as Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, is a symphonic poem for orchestra by Claude Debussy, approximately 10 minutes in duration.
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