La fille aux cheveux de lin

The piece, named after the poem by Leconte de Lisle, is known for its musical simplicity, a divergence from Debussy's style at the time. Completed in January 1910, it was published three months later and premiered in June of that same year. The prelude is one of Debussy's most recorded pieces, both in its original version and in subsequent various arrangements.

History[edit]

The prelude was completed on 15–16 January 1910,^[2] and was first published in April of that same year, along with the rest of his preludes from Book I. Its first performance was given by Franz Liebich at the Bechstein Hall in London two months later, on 2 June.^[9] This was followed by an American premiere at the Stockbridge Casino in Stockbridge, Massachusetts on 26 July 1910, performed by Walter Morse Rummel.^[10] Subsequently, the French premiere took place the following year on 14 January at the Société Nationale de Musique in Paris, with Ricardo Viñes performing the work.^[9]


A transcription of the prelude for violin and piano was created by Arthur Hartmann—a close friend of Debussy^[11]—and released in May 1910.^[12]


La fille remains one of the most recorded musical compositions of Debussy's.^[13] Despite its performance on a recurring basis, the prelude remains popular among audiences,^[4] partly because of its "memorable tune" which is juxtaposed with a "mellow accompaniment".^[14] It has received acclaim for its expansiveness of emotion,^[3] with the Richmond Times-Dispatch's Clarke Bustard describing the piece as "perhaps the most delicately characterful" out of all his twenty-four preludes.^[15]