Afternoon of the faun

Prelude to the Afternoon of the Faun. I'm currently studying this piece by inputing the notes into Sibelius and it is most definitely one of my favorites. If you have a chance Dover sells the orchestral score combined with the nocturnes for about $20. You can obviously learn allot about orchestration from Debussy.

other orchestral masterpieces:

The Planets (Holst), Mother Goose Suite (Ravel), Swan Lake (Tchaikovsky), Fire Bird (Stravinsky)

Definitely agreed. If you want to learn some nifty things about orchestration, Debussy is one of the most awesome composers to study (at least in the 19th/early 20th century).

Seconded.

See also: La Mer.

Swan Lake's orchestration is notoriously un-friendly to brass players, at least from a musical point of view. But compositionally it is a brilliant little gem of orchestral music. I'm in fact doing my own orchestration of it re-doing the brass parts and making some of the woodwinds more interesting. Also, theres some weird idiosyncrasies with Tchaik's string writing that could be corrected, such as the extreme need to use multiple stops on every possible orchestral hit.

Swan Lake's orchestration is notoriously un-friendly to brass players, at least from a musical point of view. But compositionally it is a brilliant little gem of orchestral music. I'm in fact doing my own orchestration of it re-doing the brass parts and making some of the woodwinds more interesting. Also, theres some weird idiosyncrasies with Tchaik's string writing that could be corrected, such as the extreme need to use multiple stops on every possible orchestral hit.

What does this have to do AT ALL with Debussy?!

Well, in all fairness, the OP did mention Tchai's Swan Lake. So, I guess that's the connection he made.

Plus Tchai is totally better because he composed with PASSION!!! unlike Debussy.

Well, in all fairness, the OP did mention Tchai's Swan Lake. So, I guess that's the connection he made.

Plus Tchai is totally better because he composed with PASSION!!! unlike Debussy.

You want to talk about passion? I got two names for you. Takemitsu and Beethoven. They're music is nothing BUT passion-two of the greatest musical minds in the history of man.

Seconded.

See also: La Mer.

Thirded

See also: Jeux

Thirded

See also: Jeux

I like!

P.S. Speaking of a similar time in Debussy's life as the Prélude: See also: Pelléas et Mélisande.

Plus Tchai is totally better because he composed with PASSION!!! unlike Debussy.

:o How can you possibly... I am so... What the HELL??? Debussy composed with SOOO much passion... Tchai did too, but I would say they are close to the same level of passion.

Also, I love Debussy's orchestration. I am studying some of his scores. It's impressive.

I think Nirvana was being sarcastic there.

There is no other reason, ... unless he's temporary out of his mind, have to bring him back!!! :D