Fanfare pour précéde “La Péri” (Paul Dukas)
Program Notes
Composed by Paul Dukas, arranged by Ian Deterling.
A triumphant opener for your next concert! These arrangements of the Fanfare for “La Péri” by Paul Dukas captures the essence of the original with only slight modifications to make them more accessible. Although Dukas is perhaps best known for The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, his music for La Péri (a ballet in one act - also his last published work) is considered by many to be his most musically mature piece. The ballet is about Iskender (Alexander the Great) searching for the Flower of Immortality. After years of searching, Iskender finds a Péri (a beautiful winged spirit) in possession of the flower. Full of impressionistic gestures and and romantic melodies, La Péri and its preceding fanfare are brilliant and exciting masterpieces of orchestral literature.