<P> Prélude à l'après - midi d'un faune (L. 86), known in English as Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, is a symphonic poem for orchestra by Claude Debussy, approximately 10 minutes in duration . It was first performed in Paris on 22 December 1894, conducted by Gustave Doret . The flute solo was played by Georges Barrère . </P> <P> Debussy's work later provided the basis for the ballet Afternoon of a Faun choreographed by Vaslav Nijinsky and a later version by Jerome Robbins . </P> <P> The composition was inspired by the poem L'après - midi d'un faune by Stéphane Mallarmé . It is one of Debussy's most famous works and is considered a turning point in the history of music . Pierre Boulez considered the score to be the beginning of modern music, observing that "the flute of the faun brought new breath to the art of music ." </P> <P> About his composition Debussy wrote: </P>

Claude debussy prelude to the afternoon of a faun analysis