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The Javanese dancers reappeared as a distant illusion under the bows of the
Ysaÿe Quarter. The music seemed to accompany a shadow theater. A large
majority of the audience remained untouched by the impressionistic colors
of the score. At the end of the concert, the applause barely reached the
warmth of the wintery temperature outdoors. The critics rushed to pan the
piece entirely. The sounds were clearly too exotic!
A few disparaging comments were heard in the audience:
“It is music for
savages”
and
“Did you understand anything?”
and even
“The poor man must have
overindulged in artificial paradises.”
Fortunately, many musicians praised the
piece, recognizing the composite wealth of this quartet.
“My dear friend, you
have reached the summit of your art with this!”
exclaimed Paul Dukas. Ravel, who
was also present, tried to approach the composer, but his natural reserve
kept him back. He merely waved from a distance to his elder. With this brief
exchange, a mixture of admiration and budding rivalry, the young man had
a sense that they would never be friends. The future would prove him right.
28 DEBUSSY, RAVEL_STRING QUARTETS