Footsteps in the Snow

FOOTSTEPS IN THE SNOW from PRELUDES, Book 1

CLAUDE DEBUSSY (1862-1918)

arranged for Brass Quintet & Organ by J. SCOTT IRVINE

Programme Notes:

Footsteps in the Snow (Des pas sur la neige) is the sixth of twelve pieces from the first book of Preludes for Piano (1910). It evokes a stark, glacial landscape of resigned sadness and solitude. The despondent trumpet melody (in Harmon mute) is enshrouded by plodding ostinato figures heard mainly in the horn, flugelhorn and organ.

Debussy never intended the Preludes to be performed in a series; he thought of them as individual works. The titles were given by the Composer to create images or sensory associations for the listener, but it is worthy of note that Debussy placed the titles at the end of each movement, so as not to influence the performer’s impression of the music.

JSI

Duration: 3:30