Claude Debussy was a French composer who was formative in the development of the 20th century style of composition. Born in 1862, he showed an early proficiency in the piano and by 1873 he had entered the Paris Conservatory. During his time at the conservatory, he was awarded the Grand Prix de Rome with his cantata L’Enfant prodigue. Debussy’s work took place during a sweeping change in the art and poetry spheres. His interactions with artists and writers at the time colored his approach to composition. While he rejected the label as a whole, it is often pointed out that his unique approach to color and rhythm in particular are reminiscent of the impressionistic style that was popularized at the time. 

Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun is a musical evocation of Stéphane Mallarmé’s poem “Afternoon of a Faun,” in which a faun awakes to relive memories of his lustful frolics with forest nymphs. The work opens with a quiet and sensual flute solo over soft accompanying strings. The horns and harp are soon added into the fold with an exceptionally smooth approach to texture. The oboe and clarinet each take the opening melody in turns before the theme returns to the flute section yet again to close out the piece.