On This Day
·

Claude Debussy's first orchestral masterpiece "Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune" (Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun) p

Claude Debussy's first orchestral masterpiece "Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune" (Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun) premieres in Paris

Prélude à l'Après-midi d'un faune (L. 86), known in English as Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, is a symphonic poem for orchestra by Claude Debussy, approximately 10 minutes in duration. It was composed in 1894 and first performed in Paris on 22 December 1894, conducted by Gustave Doret. The flute solo was played by Georges Barrère.

The composition was inspired by the poem L'après-midi d'un faune by Stéphane Mallarmé. It is one of Debussy's most famous works and is considered a turning point in the history of Western art music, as well as a masterpiece of Impressionist composition.

Historical Significance

Prélude à l'Après-midi d'un faune (L.

Key People

Claude Debussy

classical composer

French classical composer

–

Events Before

  1. First U.S. college extension courses for credit are offered at the University of Chicago

    The University of Chicago (UChicago, Chicago, UChi, or U of C) is a private research university in the Hyde Park community area of Chicago, Illinois, United States. The university is composed of an...

  2. British poet and writer Rudyard Kipling (26) weds Carrie Balestier (29) at All Souls Church in Langham Place, London, En

    British poet and writer Rudyard Kipling (26) weds Carrie Balestier (29) at All Souls Church in Langham Place, London, England; writer. Henry James gave away the bride

  3. Thomas Edison completes the world's first movie studio in West Orange, New Jersey

    Thomas Alva Edison (February 11, 1847 – October 18, 1931) was an American inventor and businessman.

  4. Panic of 1893 causes a large crash on the NY Stock Exchange

    Panic of 1893 causes a large crash on the NY Stock Exchange

  5. Henri Desgrange establishes world's 1st bicycle world record, travelling 35.325 km (21.95 miles) an hour

    Henri Desgrange establishes world's 1st bicycle world record, travelling 35.325 km (21.95 miles) an hour

Events After

  1. Norway adopts Central European time

    Central European Time (CET) is a standard time observed in Central as well as parts of Western and Southeast Europe, which is one hour ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

  2. Philippine revolutionary Emilio Aguinaldo becomes a Freemason, joining Pilar Lodge No. 203 in Imus, Cavite

    Emilio Aguinaldo y Famy was a Filipino revolutionary, statesman, and military leader who was the first president of the Philippines from 1899 to 1901, and the first president of an Asian...

  3. J. Edgar Hoover is born

    J. Edgar Hoover, American law enforcement administrator, known for american law enforcement administrator, was born on 1895-01-01.

  4. Gustav Mahler conducts the premiere of his incomplete 2nd Symphony ("Resurrection") in Berlin, Germany, with the Berlin

    Gustav Mahler conducts the premiere of his incomplete 2nd Symphony ("Resurrection") in Berlin, Germany, with the Berlin Philharmonic; the complete version debuts in December

  5. Auguste and Louis Lumière show their first movie to an invited audience

    Auguste and Louis Lumière show their first movie to an invited audience

More from the 1890s

Physicist J. J. Thomson (33) weds Rose Elisabeth Paget

Physicist J. J. Thomson (33) weds Rose Elisabeth Paget

Ellis Island opens as a US immigration inspection station and becomes the gateway to the United States for more than 12

Ellis Island opens as a US immigration inspection station and becomes the gateway to the United States for more than 12 million people

German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen announces his discovery of X-rays

German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen announces his discovery of X-rays

Eritrea is consolidated into a colony by the Italian government

Eritrea, officially the State of Eritrea, is a country in the Horn of Africa region of East Africa. Its capital and largest city is Asmara.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on December 22, 1894?
Prélude à l'Après-midi d'un faune (L. 86), known in English as Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, is a symphonic poem for orchestra by Claude Debussy, approximately 10 minutes in duration. It was composed in 1894 and first performed in Paris on 22 December 1894, conducted by Gustave Doret.
Why is Claude Debussy's first orchestral masterpiece "Prélude à l'après-midi d'un fa... significant?
Prélude à l'Après-midi d'un faune (L.
Who was involved in Claude Debussy's first orchestral masterpiece "Prélude à l'après-midi d'un fa...?
Key figures include Claude Debussy (classical composer).

Explore More

December 22 in HistoryYear 1894