Première rhapsodie for clarinet and orchestra

The Première rhapsodie was written in 1909–10 as a test piece for the clarinet competition at the Paris Conservatoire, where Debussy had been appointed to the governing council. It is dedicated to Prosper Mimart, the professor of clarinet, who gave the first public performance in January 1911; the candidates had already played it at the examination the previous summer. Debussy, who generally disliked such commissions, called it one of the most pleasing pieces he had written. He orchestrated the accompaniment in 1911, and both versions remain in use.