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 Mallarme, 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 MediumSymphonic poem for orchestra, scored for three flutes, two oboes, cor anglais, two clarinets, two bassoons, four horns, two harps, antique cymbals and strings 1 Cross-Tradition Connections
Created By
In Form
In Movement
Sources
1. Wikipedia
Wikimedia FoundationPrelude to the Afternoon of a Faun article, lead section, first sentenceQuote, 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.
1. Wikipedia
Wikimedia FoundationPrelude to the Afternoon of a Faun article, lead section, second sentenceQuote, 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.
1. Wikipedia
Wikimedia FoundationPrelude to the Afternoon of a Faun article, composition sectionQuote, 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.
1. Wikipedia
Wikimedia FoundationIn Movement: Impressionism, Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun article, lead section, third sentenceQuote, 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.
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