Paul Dukas

La Péri

Paul Dukas (1865-1935) composed La Péri (poème dansé) in 1911, completing his last major published work as a one-act "dance poem" inspired by an ancient Persian legend. The scenario, written by Dukas himself, follows Iskender (the Persian name for Alexander the Great) on his quest for the Flower of Immortality, which is guarded by the mystical Peri, a fairy-like spirit. Originally commissioned for Serge Diaghilev's Ballets Russes with Vaslav Nijinsky and Natalia Trouhanova in the leading roles, the production collapsed because of artistic disagreements between Diaghilev and Trouhanova. Dukas subsequently mounted the work independently, adding the brilliant Fanfare pour précéder La Péri shortly before the premiere to quiet the notoriously restless Paris audiences before the ballet began. La Péri received its premiere on April 22, 1912, at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, choreographed by Ivan Clustine, with Natalia Trouhanova as the Peri, Alfred Bekefi as Iskender, and the Concerts Lamoureux conducted by the composer. Today, La Péri is regarded as one of the masterpieces of French orchestral Impressionism and Symbolism. Although staged less frequently than the great Ballets Russes scores of Stravinsky, Ravel, and Debussy, it remains a cherished concert work, admired for its sumptuous orchestration and exotic atmosphere. Instrumentation: 2+1(dFl3).2+1(EH), 2+1(BCl).3: 4.3.3.1: Timp.Perc(6): Hp(2).Clst: Str (9.8.7.6.5 in set). Reprint edition.