"It may be in fact that I have taken on a task that is too much for me;there is no precedent, so I am obliged to invent new forms."- Claude Debussy

Unquestionably one of the most influential of modern composers, Claude Debussy (1862-1918) overturned traditional concepts of form, harmony and coloring in creating a body of music characterized by innovation, individuality of style and perfection of workmanship.

Among his most popular, most performed, most recorded works are the three compositions reprinted in this volume: the revolutionary Prelude a l'apres-midi d'un faune, which, in a sense, "awakened" modern music; the exquisite Nocturnes, shimmering models of delicate impressionism; and La Mer, complex,suggestive, a masterpiece of orchestral texture.

This new Dover volume presents the complete scores of all three works-repro-duced from early French editions- in one convenient source. Musicians and music lovers will appreciate this inexpensive edition of a trio of orchestral favorites-pieces that mark not only key points in the composer's personal progress, but in the progress of modern music as well.

Glossary of French Terms

PRELUDE A L'APRES-MIDI D'UN FAUNE

[Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun; inspired by the poem of the same name

by Stephane Mallarme; composed 1892-1894; first published 1895]

NOCTURNES

[Composed 1897-1899; first published 1900]

    1. Nuages [Clouds]

    2. Fetes [Festivals]

    3. Sirenes [Sirens]

LAMER

[The Sea; composed 1903-1905; first published 1905]

    1. De l'aube a midi sur la mer" [From Dawn to Noon on the Sea]

    2. Jeux de vagues [Wave Play]

    3. Dialogue du vent et de lamer [Dialogue of Wind and Sea]