Syrinx was written as incidental music to the uncompleted play Psyché by Gabriel Mourey, and was originally called „Flûte de Pan“.
Since one of Debussy’s Chansons de Bilitis had already been given that title, however, it was given ist final name in reference to the myth of the amorous pursuit of the nymph Syrinx by the god Pan, in which Pan falls in love with Syrinx.
However, as Syrinx does not return the love to Pan, she turns herself into a water reed and hides in the marshes. Pan cuts the reeds to make his pipes, in turn killing his love.
