ID 1349635
Lot 35 | Claude Debussy (1862-1918)
Estimate value
£ 2 000 – 3 000
Autograph manuscript, 'Fugues et Contrepoint', [c.1880]
In black ink, approximately 110 exercises in two to eight staves, at times with the instructions 'Note contre Note' or 'Fleuri', one theme attributed to 'Chérubini' and two to 'Bazin', title and 27 pages, 272 x 353mm, with emendations and comments ('un des meilleurs') in pencil, perhaps by Debussy's composition teacher Ernest Guiraud, in three gatherings. In a modern folder.
Student exercises in fugues and counterpoint. Debussy joined the composition class of Ernest Guiraud (1837-1892) at the Paris Conservatoire in 1880, and under his guidance was to win the second Prix de Rome in 1883 and the first prize in 1884. Guiraud was a composer of operas, perhaps best known now for the recitatives he added to Bizet's Carmen. He was respected as a teacher and 'liked Debussy, but was barely able to grasp his brilliant pupil's new ideas of harmony and colour' (New Grove).
| Artist: | Claude Debussy (1862 - 1918) |
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| Place of origin: | Western Europe, France, Europe |
| Auction house category: | Letters, documents and manuscripts, Books and manuscripts |
| Artist: | Claude Debussy (1862 - 1918) |
|---|---|
| Place of origin: | Western Europe, France, Europe |
| Auction house category: | Letters, documents and manuscripts, Books and manuscripts |
| Address of auction |
CHRISTIE'S 8 King Street, St. James's SW1Y 6QT London United Kingdom | |
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| Phone | +44 (0)20 7839 9060 | |
| Buyer Premium | see on Website | |
| Conditions of purchase | Conditions of purchase |











