Debussy, C :: Nuits d' etoiles

Publisher: Theodore Presser

Editor: Stillman, Mimi (arr)

Theodore Presser presents 'Nuits d'etoiles: 8 Early Songs' by composer Claude Debussy, arranged for flute and piano by Mimi Stillman. 

The arranger writes about this piece, 'The natural connection between the flute and the voice has always fascinated me. I was attracted to Debussy's songs because of their beautiful, lyrical melodies, richness of nuance and color, and long vocal phrases perfectly suited to being spun out on the flute. In 'Nuits d'etoiles' I offer my arrangements of the composer's songs as an idiomatic addition to the flute repertoire. 

The '8 Early Songs' were set to poems by Theodore de Banville, Paul Bourget, Andre Girod, and Paul Verlaine. These works share thematic and stylistic elements of Romantic poetry: love is a central theme, and the songs portray its passion, melancholy, thrill, and despair. Nature reflects human emotions, and personification and symbols occur throughout. Debussy's goal was to create in music 'a thorough and extended portrayal of human feelings.' 'Nuits d'etoiles: 8 Early Songs' invites the flutist to interpret these exquisite songs with creativity and freedom of expression.'

Contents

• Nuit d'etoiles [Night of Stars]
• Beau soir [Beautiful Evening]
• Fleur des bles [Flowers of the Grainfield]
• Mandoline [Mandolin]
• Paysage sentimental [Sentimental Landscape]
• Voici que le printemps [Here Come Spring]
• Romance: l'ame evaporee [Romance: The Evanescent Soul]
• Les cloches [The Bells]