Debussy, Claude

comprising the apparently complete "Air de Balthazar" and an incomplete draft of a duet, marked "Scene II", for Balthazar and Adéna, scored for three voices and orchestra, in piano score, notated in Debussy's bold, youthful hand in dark brown ink, on three systems, each of four staves per page, some staves extended into the margins by the composer, with autograph title ("Air"), and inscribed by another hand "inédit de Claude De Bussy auteur de Pelléas et Melisande...composé vers 1885 donné à M. George Marquet du Conservatoire de Paris", over 100 bars in all, with a number of autograph corrections, deletions and alterations, some in pencil

9 pages, folio (35 x 27.2cm), plus three blanks, 14-stave paper, no place [early 1882], some slight dust-staining

F. Lesure, Catalogue de l'oeuvre de Claude Debussy (Geneva, 1977), no.20; Léon Vallas, Debussy (1927), p.51; and J. Tiersot, 'Oeuvres de première jeunesse de Berlioz et de Debussy', Le Ménéstrel, 6 January 1933

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This early score, a setting of a poem by Emile Cicile, is probably a practice composition for the "Prix de Rome", the competition won by Debussy and several of the greatest French composers, which required the composition of a cantata. The prize was two years study in Rome at the Villa Medici, where Debussy resided between 1885-1887 after winning the prize with L'enfant prodigue. For Debussy this period was a type of artistic imprisonment and as with many earlier and later winners of the prestigious award, it sadly provided more to rebel against than anything more positive. Balthazar's aria "Versez, que de l'ivresse" is a boldly conceived composition in B flat, written for high baritone. The musical style has more than a whiff of Wagner about it, especially Lohengrin and Die Walküre. Formerly in the Legouix collection.