Serenade for the Doll

As mentioned in the commentary for the complete work, this piece was first composed as a standalone miniature in 1906 and was also published independently in 1908, preceding the complete work (there are slight differences between the first editions of the standalone version and the complete version). In the first edition of the complete work, the score text mistakenly read ” Serenade of the doll,” which led to the piece often being referred to as “Serenade of the Doll” in the past. However, the correct title is now established. While facile literary interpretations should be avoided, this difference likely influenced the interpretation of the piece.

The melody is sung over an accompaniment reminiscent of a guitar, and it is also noteworthy that in the opening section, notes a perfect fourth below the melody are superimposed in parallel.

Opening of "Serenade for the Doll"

The asterisk in the score example above indicates a note, and it is highly interesting that the margin explains, “The soft pedal should be held down throughout the entire piece, even during forte passages.” This is an important example, similar to measures 79–82 of “Études,” the fifth piece in the “For the Octaves,” demonstrating that Debussy considered the left pedal to be for timbre rather than volume.

Debussy: 12 Études, No. 5 "For the Octaves," measures 76–84

Furthermore, from measure 106 onwards, although there is no indication in the score, it is often played più mosso, and this is also how it is played in Debussy’s own piano roll.

Serenade for the Doll, measures 102–110