Autograph of a faun
The initial work of a new epoch, Debussy's "Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune", as a facsimile in outstanding quality.
Probably no other composition would have been better suited for the opening of a new representative facsimile series published by the Bibliothèque nationale de France than Debussy's Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune - the symphonic poem from 1894 which, from today's perspective, seems like the beginning of modern music. At any rate, this is a quite rightly formulated bon mot by Pierre Boulez.
Contrary to what one might assume from the by no means straightforward history of its creation - the first sketches date from 1890/91, the plan for a three-part suite remained unrealized - the autograph score now available as a facsimile in the best print quality is a fair copy, which served as an engraver's model. The oversized edition is thus impressive in two ways; in addition, Brepols' usual lavish, first-class graphic and publishing design is also present.
However, it is a little surprising that the introduction by Denis Herlin, written in French and covering several aspects in an instructive manner, has not been translated (into English, for example), as is not only customary for such editions of foreseeably outstanding importance, but also seems necessary for a wider reception. This would hardly do any harm to a "grande nation culturelle"; on the contrary, it could demonstrate true greatness.
Claude Debussy, Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune. Fac-similé du manuscrit autographe de la partition d'orchestre (= de Main de maître 1), 80 p., 320 x 430 mm, € 150.00, Brepols Publishers, Turnhout/Belgium 2014, ISBN 978-2-503-55134-0
