En blanc et noir (L 134) is a suite for two pianos composed by Claude Debussy in 1915. It consists of three movements: an energetic waltz for the first movement (Avec emportement), a sombre second movement composed in memory of Debussy's friend Jacques Charlot killed in the First World War (Lent. Sombre), and a playful Scherzando to bring the piece to a close. It was composed during a late flourish in the composer's prolific output, along with his Cello Sonata, Sonata for flute, viola and harp, and the piano Études to which it is often compared. The piece was first performed by Walter Morse Rummel and Thérèse Chaigneau (sister of Suzanne Chaigneau) in the salon of the Princesse de Polignac in January 1916.
Date of composition | 1915 |
Premiered | 1916, January 22nd (Residence of Princesse de Polignac) in Paris, France |
First published | 1915 |
Dedicated to | à mon ami A. Kussewitsky; à Lieutenant Jacques Charlot; à mon ami Igor Strawinsky |
Type | Suite |
Instruments | 2x Piano |
Autotranslations beta |
Claude Debussy: En blanc et noir Claude Debussy: En blanc et noir Claude Debussy: En blanc et noir |