Scott Jackson Wiley
Music Director

Claude Debussy:

Rhapsody for Clarinet and Orchestra

Between December 1909 and January 1910 Debussy composed a piece called "Premiere Rhapsodie" for clarinet and piano. It was to be used for a clarinet competition at the Paris Conserservatoire, and contained a complex, virtuoso part for clarinet

In 1911, Debussy orchestrated the work and changed the title to "Premiere Rhapsodie pour orchestre avec clarinette principale". The exotic sounding work uses the original clarinet part, but adds the benefit of orchestral accompaniment and enriched harmonic, rhythmic, melodic, and contrapuntal material.

Notes by Beth Fisher