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- Debussy, Claude
Duration: 35 minutes
Description: L’ENFANT PRODIGUE (THE PRODIGAL SON), CD 61 / L 57 was composed in 1884 by Claude Debussy (1862–1918) as a scène lyrique for the Prix de Rome competition, which the young composer won that same year. Setting a libretto by Édouard Guinand based on the biblical parable, the work depicts the return of the prodigal son Azaël to his anguished mother Lia. L’ENFANT PRODIGUE received its piano accompaniment premiere on July 27, 1884, at the Académie des Beaux-Arts in Paris as part of the Prix de Rome proceedings, bringing Debussy early public recognition. Although the piece stands apart stylistically from the composer’s later impressionistic masterpieces, it has retained a place in the repertoire as a significant early work, frequently performed in concert and conservatory settings. In 1907, fellow composer André Caplet assisted Debussy in orchestrating a revised version of L’ENFANT PRODIGUE. This revised and orchestrated version premiered in 1908 at the Sheffield Music Festival, Henry Wood conducting. The vocal score is available separately as W109391. Instrumentation: 3(3rd dPicc).2+1(EH).2.2: 4.2.3.1: Timp.Perc(2): Hp(2): Str (4.4.3.3.3 in set): Soli STBar: SATB Chours (opt.). Reprint edition.