Syrinx is commonly considered to be an indispensable part of the contemporary repertoire. Many musical historians believe that “Syrinx”, which gives the performer generous room for interpretation and emotion, played a pivotal role in the development of solo music in the early twentieth century.

The piece is commonly performed off stage, as it is thought when Debussy dedicated the piece to the flautist Louis Fleury, it was for him to play during the interval of one of Debussy’s ballets.

Syrinx was written as incidental music to the uncompleted play Psyché by Gabriel Mourey, and was originally called “Flûte de Pan”. Since one of Debussy’s Chansons de Bilitis had already been given that title, however, it was given its final name in reference to the myth of the amorous pursuit of the nymph Syrinx by the god Pan, in which Pan falls in love with Syrinx, however, as Syrinx does not return the love to Pan, she turns herself into a water reed and hides in the marshes. Pan cuts the reeds to make his pipes, in turn killing his love.

This edition is ready to play for unaccompanied trumpet in C, and if you have not ever heard this performed on trumpet, I highly recommend you listen below. When you are ready, grab an immediate PDF download above.

Listen to Syrinx on Unaccompanied Trumpet