“Please do not think too much about this En blanc et noir... This work merely draws its colors and sensations from the sound of the piano. If you agree, I would say it is like Velázquez's 'Grays'.” This is a passage Debussy addressed to a friend. Deeply impressed by the outbreak of World War I in 1914, Debussy, after more than a year of silence, created this work from within a fervent compositional impulse, which he himself described as a rediscovery of musical thought. Perhaps due to this background, it can be said that Debussy's patriotism for France was transformed into sound through his unique methods. It consists of three short pieces, each inscribed with a line of poetry at its beginning.

I. Excité

Quoting a passage from Gounod's Roméo et Juliette: “He who stays in his place and does not dance, murmurs his displeasure in a low voice.”

A dance-like, brilliant atmosphere dominates the entire piece.

II. Lent et sombre

Quoting from François Villon's Ballade against the Enemies of France: “Prince, whether you become a slave of Aeolus, or in the forest ruled by Glaucus, or else, become the master of peace and hope, he who brings evil laws to the Kingdom of France is unworthy of that virtue.”

A piece expressing tragic and melancholic emotions.

III. Scherzando

A line of poetry by Charles d'Orléans: “Winter, you are nothing but an unpleasant fellow.”

An intellectual and highly refined scherzo, infused with a unique humor. Wilfrid Mellers described it as “a vitality full of sadness.”