Claude Debussy

3 Nocturnes, L. 91 (Orignal Version, 1899)

Claude Debussy (1862-1918) composed Nocturnes, L. 91 (also Trois Nocturnes) between 1897 and 1899, although some have speculated that work began as early as 1892 under the title Trois Scènes au Crépuscule (Three Scenes at Twilight), inspired by ten poems by Henri de Régnier, though no manuscript has ever been found. Also, flattered by famed violinist Eugène Ysaÿe's interest in his music, Debussy began in 1894 to rework his plans for his Twilight Scenes for solo violin and orchestra, now titled Nocturnes, and this time based after a series of paintings by American James McNeill Whistler. This first version of Nocturnes was abandoned when Ysaÿe would not commit to the performance. By 1897, having opted to remove the solo violin, Debussy began to write the piece as a work in three movements for full orchestra. Like Whistler's paintings, also entitled Nocturnes, this impressionistic orchestra work depicts studies in light and shade, landscapes and objects. Debussy even provided an introductory note to his Nocturnes, relating the influence of the paintings, and how he used their reliance on light, mystery, and impression to inform his music. The first two movements premiered at the Concerts Lamoureux in Paris on December 9, 1900, Camille Chevillard conducting. The female choir was unavailable for that performance, so the final movement was excluded. The first complete performance took place on October 27, 1901. Movements: 1. Nuages (Clouds); 2. Fêtes (Festivals); 3. Sirènes (Sirens). Instrumentation: 3(3rd dPicc).2+EH.2.3: 4.3.3.1: Timp.Perc(2): Hp(2): Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set): Women's Chorus. Part of the Nieweg Performance Editions series.