Prelude a l'apres-midi d'un faune (Claude Debussy)

Question 1

date

Answer 1

1894

Question 2

genre

Answer 2

symphonic poem (tone poem)

Question 3

performing forces

Answer 3

strings (all + harp), woodwinds (flutes, oboes, English horn, clarinets), brass (French horn), percussion (antique cymbals)

Question 4

structure

Answer 4

loose ternary structure (ABA), and 1 movement only

Question 5

inspiration

Answer 5

a Symbolist poem (pastoral) by Stéphane Mallarmé

Question 6

key signature

Answer 6

begins and ends with 4 sharps

Question 7

time signature

Answer 7

9/8

Question 8

tempo

Answer 8

très modéré

Question 9

summary of original poem

Answer 9

a faun (half-man, half-goat, lives in forest), is visited by 3 lovely nymphs, or was this just a dream?

Question 10

character or mood

Answer 10

hazy, dreamy quality

Question 11

A

Answer 11

ambiguous tonality. Opening melody outlines a tritone. Mysterious atmosphere.

Question 12

A: interesting

Answer 12

fluid rhythmic approach (obscure metric accents, figures flow across bar lines), innovative orchestration (harp glissandi, muted horns and strings)

Question 13

B

Answer 13

two new themes introduced by woodwinds. contrast created through active, animated rhythm. modulations and syncopations build to an effective climax

Question 14

B: orchestration

Answer 14

strings often move in parallel motion (gentle, floating sound created). clarinets trace rapid whole-tone scales (exotic)

Question 15

A return

Answer 15

augments the opening theme. solo flute outlines a perfect 4th, which clarifies E major tonality. antique cymbals are gently struck in the final section

Question 16

concept

Answer 16

suggest at the material rather than directly describing it

Question 17

review and reflection

Answer 17

expanded tonality, whole-tone scale