On the Interpretation of the Melodies of Claude Debussy

The grand and noble traditions of interpretation disappear, are quickly damaged. That is why it is so important to be able to rely upon your testimony and your experience, you who had the immense joy to premier, accompanied by their author, and to interpret so often the vocal works of our great Claude Debussy, our dear Claude de France. From the letter preface by Darius Milhaud Jane Bathori was a catalyst for as well as interpreter of the works of many French...
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The grand and noble traditions of interpretation disappear, are quickly damaged. That is why it is so important to be able to rely upon your testimony and your experience, you who had the immense joy to premier, accompanied by their author, and to interpret so often the vocal works of our great Claude Debussy, our dear Claude de France.
From the letter preface by Darius Milhaud

Jane Bathori was a catalyst for as well as interpreter of the works of many French composers. In 1904, she met Claude Debussy, played some of his piano pieces for him and sang several of his songs. Their discussions were the basis for her 1953 book, On the Interpretation of the Melodies of Claude Debussy which she resolved to write after having heard Debussy's intentions betrayed so many times, and also to encourage singers . .. to study some of the songs which are not known and are never sung, the excuse being that they are so difficult to interpret.

Linda Laurent, translator and annotator, is a pianist of repute.