Composer

Claude Debussy

1862–1918

1,795 works in the index

Born: 1862
Died: 1918
Birthplace: Saint-Germain-en-Laye
Citizenship / historical state: France
Period (estimated from birth year): Modern

Biography

Debussy changed what the piano could sound like, and his music is notated with unusual precision about pedal, dynamics and voicing because those things are the substance rather than the decoration.

Clair de lune is the most-bought piano piece in this catalogue and one of the most misjudged: it is not difficult to read and it is very difficult to play well, because it depends entirely on control of quiet dynamics and pedal. The Children's Corner suite and the two books of Arabesques are the realistic starting points. The Préludes and Images are advanced.

Editions matter here for an unusual reason: his pedal markings and enharmonic spellings are deliberate and older "improved" editions altered both. Buy an edition that follows the original text, and treat any collection that regularises his notation as a warning sign.

In this catalogue

Common listed instruments: Piano, Voice, Clarinet, Flute, Harp
Genres represented: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Children, Christmas
Works with composition dates: 118 of 1,795

These details describe the indexed sheet music, including arrangements.

Catalogue

Works page 1 of 38

Years are composition dates where known. Instruments describe editions in our catalogue and may include arrangements. A dash means the detail is not recorded.

Works and available sheet music details
Work	Year composed	Catalogue / opus	Key in title	Listed instruments	Genre	Editions
Pour le piano, L. 95: I. Prélude. À Mademoiselle M.W. de Romilly. Assez animé et très rythmé - Tempo di cadenza - Tempo I	1909-10IMSLP	—	—	Piano, Cello, violin, Orchestra	Classical	212
Fêtes galantes (Premier recueil), L. 80, CD 86 : III. Clair de lune, mélodie pour voix et piano "Votre âme est un paysage choisi"	—	—	—	Piano, Harp, Organ, Guitar, harpsichord, Cello, Flute, Oboe, violin, Voice, Bassoon, bass, Vocal, Orchestra, Horn	Jazz, Rock, New Age, Classical, Pop, Religious	218
Préludes, Livre I, L. 117: VIII. La fille aux cheveux de lin. Très calme et doucement expressif	—	—	—	Piano, Harp, Organ, harpsichord, Cello, Flute, Oboe, violin, Bassoon, Orchestra, Double Bass, Horn, Clarinet, Sax	Jazz, Classical	178
Images pour orchestre, L 122: IIc. Ibéria - Le matin d'un jour de fête	1901-05IMSLP	—	—	Piano, strings, Triangle, Timpani, Snare Drum, Cymbals, Celesta, Xylophone	Rock, Classical	76
Suite bergamasque, L. 75, CD 82a, pour piano	1890-1905IMSLP	—	—	Piano	Classical	113
Children's Corner, L. 113: V. The Little Shepherd	1906-1908IMSLP	—	—	Piano, Harp, harpsichord, Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Horn, Clarinet, Recorder, percussion, Saxophone, Accordion	Classical, Pop, Children, Christmas	83
Rêverie, L. 68, CD 76, pour piano	1890IMSLP	—	—	Piano	Jazz, Classical	111
Les angélus	1892 (February)IMSLP	—	—	Piano, Organ, Voice, Low Voice	Classical	20
Children's Corner, L. 113: II. Jimbo's Lullaby	1906-1908IMSLP	—	—	Piano, Harp, harpsichord, Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Horn, Clarinet, Recorder, percussion, Saxophone	Classical, Children	64
Préludes, Livre I, L. 117: X. La cathédrale engloutie. Profondément calme	1909-10IMSLP	—	—	Piano, Organ, harpsichord	Classical	47
Deux Arabesques, L. 66, CD 74, pour piano : No. 1 en mi majeur, Andantino con moto	—	—	—	Piano, Organ, Flute	Classical	57
En Bateau	1886-89IMSLP	—	—	Piano, Harp, Organ, Flute, violin, Clarinet, Timpani, percussion	Classical, Pop	40
Estampes, L. 100: III. Jardins sous la pluie. Net et vif	—	—	—	Piano, harpsichord	Classical	36
Estampes, L. 100: II. La Soirée dans Grenade. Mouvement de Habanera	—	—	—	Piano, harpsichord	Classical	30
Suite bergamasque, L. 75, CD 82a, pour piano : II. Menuet	1886-89IMSLP	—	—	Piano, Harp, Organ, Cello, violin, Orchestra, Timpani, percussion, Saxophone	Classical	35
Préludes, Livre I, L. 117: VI. Des pas sur la neige. Triste et lent	1909-10IMSLP	—	—	Piano, harpsichord	Classical	31
Suite bergamasque, L. 75, CD 82a, pour piano : IV. Passepied	—	—	—	Piano, Harp, harpsichord	Classical	18
Deux Arabesques, L. 66, CD 74, pour piano : No. 2 en sol majeur, Allegretto scherzando	—	—	—	Piano, Organ, Cello, Flute, violin, Viola	Classical	37
Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum (Piano solo)	—	—	—	Piano, Harp, Guitar, harpsichord, Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Horn, Clarinet, percussion, Accordion	Classical	29
Le petit Nègre, L. 114	1909IMSLP	—	—	Piano, Horn, Clarinet, Trombone, Tuba, Saxophone	Classical	42
Children's Corner, L. 113: III. Serenade for the Doll	—	—	—	Piano, Harp, harpsichord, Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Horn, Clarinet, Recorder, percussion	Classical, Children	32
Estampes, L. 100: I. Pagodes. Modérément animé	—	—	—	Piano, harpsichord	Classical	26
Children's Corner, L. 113: IV. The Snow is Dancing	—	—	—	Piano, Harp, harpsichord, Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Horn, Clarinet, percussion	Classical, Children	34
Pour le piano, L. 95: II. Sarabande. À Madame E. Rouart (née Y. Lerolle). Avec une élégance grave et lente	1894-1901IMSLP	—	—	Piano, Harp, harpsichord, Flute, Oboe, bass, Tenor Saxophone	Classical	37
Ballade (slave), L. 70, CD 78, pour piano	1910IMSLP	—	—	Piano, Flute, Voice	Classical	30
Préludes, Livre I, L. 117: XII. Minstrels. Modéré	—	—	—	Piano, harpsichord, Double Bass	Blues, Jazz, Classical	25
Valse romantique, L. 71, CD 79, pour piano	1890IMSLP	—	—	Piano, Harp, Flute	Classical	29
Berceuse héroïque pour piano, L. 132	1914 (November)IMSLP	—	—	Piano	Classical	25
Images, Livre 1, L. 110: No. 3. Mouvement	1901-05IMSLP	—	—	Piano	Classical	21
Préludes, Livre II, L. 123: III. La puerta del Vino. Mouvement de Habanera	—	—	—	Piano, Guitar	Classical	24
Le Martyre de Saint-Sébastien, L. 124	1910IMSLP	—	—	Piano, strings, Orchestra, Trombone, Timpani, Tuba, Tamtam, Cymbals, Drum, Celesta	Classical	23
Pour le piano, L. 95: III. Toccata. À N.G. Coronio. Vif	—	—	—	Piano, harpsichord, Oboe	Classical	21
Beau soir, L. 6, CD 84, mélodie pour voix et piano "Lorsque au soleil couchant les rivières sont roses"	1880 ca., rev.1890-91IMSLP	—	—	Piano, Cello, violin, Voice, Choir, Clarinet, Euphonium, Saxophone, Low Voice, Tenor Saxophone	Classical	24
Cortege	1886-89IMSLP	—	—	Piano, Harp, Organ, violin, Timpani, percussion	Classical	21
L'isle joyeuse, L. 106	1903IMSLP	—	—	Piano	Classical	20
Préludes, Livre I, L. 117: I. Danseuses de Delphes. Lent et grave	1909-10IMSLP	—	—	Piano, harpsichord, Double Bass	Classical	19
Images, Livre 1, L. 110: No. 1. Reflets dans l'eau	—	—	—	Piano	Classical	23
Préludes, Livre II, L. 123: IV. «Les fées sont d'exquises danseuses». Rapide et léger	—	—	—	Piano	Classical	24
Préludes, Livre I, L. 117: V. Les collines d'Anacapri. Très modéré	—	—	—	Piano, harpsichord	Classical	23
Préludes, Livre II, L. 123: VIII. Ondine. Scherzando	—	—	—	Piano	Classical	23
Les Baisers d’amour, L. 48, CD 23, mélodie pour voix et piano "Non, les baisers d’amour"	1885IMSLP	—	—	Piano, Voice, Low Voice	Classical	17
Danse	1890IMSLP	—	—	Piano	Classical	16
Golliwogg's Cake Walk	—	—	—	Piano, violin, Horn, Trombone, Tuba	Classical	15
Golliwogg's Cakewalk	—	—	—	Piano, Harp, Guitar, Cello, Clarinet, Trombone, Recorder, percussion, Saxophone	Jazz, Classical, pop	24
Préludes, Livre I, L. 117: III. Le Vent dans la plaine. Animé	—	—	—	Piano, harpsichord	Classical	21
Préludes, Livre II, L. 123: XI. Les tierces alternées. Modérément animé	—	—	—	Piano	Classical	21
Préludes, Livre II, L. 123: X. Canope. Très calme et doucement triste	—	—	—	Piano	Classical	21
Préludes, Livre II, L. 123: II. Feuilles mortes. Lent et mélancolique	1912-13IMSLP	—	—	Piano	Classical	19

Biographical record: Wikidata, matched on name and checked against dates held in the catalogue. The period label is an estimate from birth year. The biography above is our own. Authority record: VIAF 6219636. Portrait: Adam Cuerden, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.