Debussy, Claude. ...

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Debussy, Claude. Autograph musical quotation inscribed and signed, in French, 1 page (10.5 x 8.25 in.; 267 x 210 mm.), May 1914; mounting remnants on verso. Superb musical quotation from Debussy's "Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune." The musical quotation is inscribed by Debussy at head by the composer, for Monsieur Jacques Renaud, and identified at lower left as being from his famous "Prelude." Influenced by Mallarmé, Debussy wrote one of his most famous works, the revolutionary "Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune," truly original in form and execution. In contrast to the large orchestras so favored by late-romanticism, Debussy wrote this piece for a smaller ensemble, emphasizing instrumental color and timbre. Despite Mallarmé himself, and colleague and friend Paul Dukas having been impressed by the piece, it was controversial at its premiere. Nevertheless, Prélude established Debussy as one of the leading composers of the era. About his composition Debussy wrote: "The music of this prelude is a very free illustration of Mallarmé's beautiful poem. By no means does it claim to be a synthesis of it. Rather there is a succession of scenes through which pass the desires and dreams of the faun in the heat of the afternoon. Then, tired of pursuing the timorous flight of nymphs and naiads, he succumbs to intoxicating sleep, in which he can finally realize his dreams of possession in universal Nature."