Claude Debussy (1862–1918), Syrinx

Debussy composed Syrinx for solo flute in 1913. Originally entitled La Flûte de Pan, the piece was intended as incidental music to Psyché, a dramatic poem in three acts by Gabriel Mourey. It was composed by Louis Fleury ( 1878–1926) premiered on December 1, 1913.

The title of the piece refers to the ancient metamorphosis myth of the nymph Syrinx handed down in Ovid's Metamorphoses. On the run from the shepherd god Pan, she was turned into reeds. From this, Pan assembled a seven-tone flute on which he conjured up his longing for Syrinx.