The concerto is set in 3 movements:

0:00 - 1. Andante - Allegro
8:02 - 2. Lento e molto espressivo
16:33 - 3. Allegro molto

Composed between 1889 and 1890, it had its premiere in 1919, a year after Debussy's death. The work is dedicated to the pianist René Chansarel, who had been scheduled to play the solo part for the premiere in 1890, but it was ultimately cancelled and was first performed posthumously in 1919. The cancellation was carried out at the request of Vincent d'Indy, who was the chosen conductor for the first performance. He claimed that he didn't have enough time to rehearse the work, and suggested that the first movement be performed on its own, but Debussy declined. Throughout the rest of Debussy's life, he revised, corrected and added to the Fantaisie, but eventually gave up all together, and the work would never be published or performed in his lifetime. The premiere in 1919 was carried out in London, by London Philharmonic Orchestra with Alfred Cortot as the soloist. Its first publication was of a two-piano arrangement by Gustave Samazeuilh in the year of its premiere, and later as the full orchestral version in 1920.

Performers: Aldo Ciccolini (piano), Orchestre National de l'ORTF, conducted by Jean Martinon

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