Claude DEBUSSY – Signed autograph musical manuscript.

Claude Debussy (1862.1918)

Signed autograph musical manuscript – Little song for the love of Lilly.

One large folio page (30 x 40 cm) on musical staff paper.

Unpublished document. Slight defects on the margins.

17th ^day of August 1899.

Precious and moving composition – previously unpublished – by the French artist dedicated to his future wife Rosalie Texier, known as Lilly.

This Little Song for the Love of Lilly was composed in August 1899, a few weeks before the couple's wedding. In a light tone, Debussy presents his little ballad with playful lyrics:

“My Lilo – I love you – My Lilly – I adore you – (long silence during which we hear) – ran, tan, plan, plan, Rantanplan – the little lion – ran, tan, plan, plan, plan – the little snake – darling little Lilly…”

Claude Debussy met Lilly in May 1898. René Peter, a friend of the musician, relates their first meeting: “ His first meeting with Debussy , brought about by friends including myself, provoked on both sides only slightly external signs of sympathy. Claude thought she was quite pretty, but naughty; He even sometimes had fun imitating her little mannerisms, which she took as the charming girl she was, the best in the world. »

For several months, Debussy sent numerous love letters to Lilly. May 15: “ This love has become something that embraces and surrounds my life, I have a need for it as absolute as the need to breathe. Nothing can hold back this attraction which resembles that of a mysterious abyss; I don't care at all if I have to die from looking too much into your eyes and drinking too much blood from your lips. »

The marriage took place on October 19, 1899 in Paris. Erik Satie is a witness.