The Symphony in B minor was composed between December 1880 and January 1881.
I “discovered” this early work of Debussy’s fairly recently
Unlike the pioneering Impressionist style he became famous for later in life, the Symphony in B minor reflects a youthful, romantic 19th-century style influenced by French masters like Jules Massenet and César Franck.
it reminds me of works by both Brahms and Tchaikovsky.
it was written as composition exercise for a piano duet.
The manuscript, preserved at the Glinka Museum in Moscow, mentions three movements (Andante - Ballet Air - Final), but the score is of the third movement, which is an Allegro. The work is dedicated to Countess von Meck, patron and protector of the young Claude Debussy.
The single-movement piece moves through distinct tempo markings: Allegro ben marcato, transitioning to a slower Un poco lento, cantabile, and returning to the Primo tempo
Debussy never orchestrated it.
Modern day musicians, including Tony Finno and Colin Matthews, have created orchestral arrangements.
I have done an arrangement for wind ensemble of the
middle section of the existing movement.(Più Lento)
The complete movement is available also.
scored for symohonic wind dectet/bass.
clarinets in A (alt parts in Bb also provided)