Le Tombeau de Claude Debussy: La plainte, au loin, du faune… (1920)

In the days following Debussy’s death in 1920, the editor of the Revue Musicale, commissioned 10 important composers to each compose a short piano work in his memory. Paul Dukas’ contribution to Le Tombeau de Claude Debussy is La Plainte, au loin, du faune…, which pays tribute to one of Debussy’s most important works, Prélude à ‘l’après-midi d’un faune’. Dukas quotes this work in a hazy, chromatic and atmospheric piece that I believe longs for an orchestral setting. This orchestration works beautifully as a companion piece to Debussy’s Faune, as musicians and listeners alike will notice the thematic reference.