Fêtes from 'Nocturnes' by Claude Debussy, arranged for flute choir by Shaul Ben-Meir. Claude Debussy's Nocturnes is a three-movement orchestral work composed between 1897 and 1899. It is one of his most celebrated pieces, reflecting his Impressionist style and his desire to evoke atmosphere, mood, and fleeting impressions rather than conventional musical structures. The piece was inspired by a series of impressionistic paintings by James Abbott McNeill Whistler, whose works often bore the same title, emphasizing tone and mood over narrative. The second movement, Fêtes, depicts the brilliance and energy of a nighttime celebration with shimmering orchestral colors and lively rhythms. A contrasting middle section introduces a solemn, distant procession that gradually merges with the festivities before the revelry surges back. The music ends in a radiant fade, capturing the fleeting, dreamlike impression of a festival dissolving into the night.

Instrumentation:

• Piccolo
• 6 C Flutes
• 2 Alto Flutes
• 2 Bass Flutes
• Contrabass Flute