Compare and contrast the musical style of Debussy’s Prelude to The Afternoon of a Faun and the “Ride of the

Valkyries” from Wagner’s Die Walküre. For the purposes of the essay, ignore the text setting of the vocal line and simply
consider it as another strand of orchestral texture. Focus attention on the style of melody, use of musical climax, and
treatment of the orchestra that these two composers employed. In what way are these compositions representative of
Impressionism and the late-Romantic style of German music?

What will be an ideal response?

ANSWER: This is a complicated question and students should have time to prepare their thoughts in advance.