Composer

Claude Debussy

French classical composer (1862–1918)

1862–1918

1,660 works and musical collections

Born: 1862
Died: 1918
Birthplace: Saint-Germain-en-Laye
Place of death: 16th arrondissement of Paris
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.

Life and musical career

Occupations: composer; pianist; music critic
Education: Conservatoire de Paris
Teachers: Antoine-François Marmontel; Albert Lavignac
Recorded memberships: Royal Swedish Academy of Music
Instruments played: piano
Genres: opera; classical music; impressionist music
Movements: impressionism in music; Symbolism
Selected notable works: Pelléas et Mélisande; Préludes; Children's Corner; La Damoiselle élue; Suite bergamasque; Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune; Petite Suite; Deux arabesques; String Quartet; La mer; Images; PrincessesJeux de princess
Awards: Knight of the Legion of Honour; Prix de Rome
Birth name: Claude Achille Debussy
Languages used: French
VIAF ID: 6219636
ISNI: 0000000121190614
GND ID: 118524186
Library of Congress ID: n79132137
MusicBrainz ID: be50643c-0377-4968-b48c-47e06b2e2a3b

Recorded in Wikidata. Affiliations may refer to earlier stages of the composer's career.

In this catalogue

Common listed instruments: Piano, Voice, Clarinet, Flute, Harp
Genres represented: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Children, Christmas
Source entries with composition dates: 118

These details describe the indexed sheet music, including arrangements.

Catalogue

Sheet music catalogue page 12 of 35

Instruments describe listed editions, including arrangements. Composition dates and keys appear where recorded; collection pages show their individual contents.

Works and musical collections with sheet music details
Title	Work details	Listed instruments	Sheet music
Violin Sonata No. 3, Movement 2 - Piano Score	See work details	Piano violin Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Violin Sonata No. 3 - Piano Score - Piano Score	See work details	Piano violin Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Golliwog's Cake-Walk from Children's Corner - Horn in E-flat 2	See work details	See edition details Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
String Quartet No. 1 2nd movement - Tenor Saxophone	See work details	See edition details Jazz · Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Ballet from Petite Suite - Horn in F 1	See work details	See edition details Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Ballet from Petite Suite - Trombone 2	See work details	See edition details Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Pour un tombeau sans nom - Preface	See work details	See edition details Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Pour remercier la pluie au matin - Preface	See work details	See edition details Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Golliwog's Cake-Walk from Children's Corner - Preface	See work details	See edition details Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Pour un tombeay sans nom - Flute	See work details	Piano Flute Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Danse Bohemienne - Preface	See work details	See edition details Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Le Petit N	See work details	Piano Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
La Cath	See work details	Piano Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Golliwog's Cakewalk - Cornet 1 in B-flat	See work details	See edition details Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
No. 2: De grêve: Sur la mer les crepuscules tombent	See work details	Piano Voice Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Violin Sonata No. 3, Movement 3 - Piano Score	See work details	Piano violin Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Première Rhapsodie - Clarinet - Clarinet	See work details	Piano Clarinet Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Violin Sonata No. 3 - Violin - Violin	See work details	Piano violin Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Golliwog's Cake-Walk from Children's Corner - Horn in F 1	See work details	See edition details Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Golliwog's Cake-Walk from Children's Corner - Bass Trombone	See work details	See edition details Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
String Quartet No. 1 2nd movement - Bass	See work details	See edition details Jazz · Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
The Little Negro - Full Score	See work details	See edition details Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Piano Trio G Major - Score	See work details	See edition details Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Pour invoquer Pan, dieu de vent d'été	See work details	See edition details Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Pour invoquer Pan, dieu du vent d'été - Score	See work details	Piano Flute Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Pour un tombeay sans nom - Preface	See work details	See edition details Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Golliwog's Cakewalk - Cornet 2 in B-flat	See work details	See edition details Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Première Rhapsodie - Piano Score - Piano Score	See work details	Piano Clarinet Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Première Rhapsodie - Set of Parts	See work details	Piano Clarinet Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Violin Sonata No. 3 - Set of Parts	See work details	Piano violin Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
String Quartet In G Minor, Op. 10 - Score	Catalogue / opus Op. 10 Key in title G minor	String Quartet Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Golliwogg's Cakewalk - Euphonium 1 BC/TC	See work details	See edition details Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Golliwogg's Cakewalk - Trumpet 1	See work details	See edition details Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Golliwog's Cake-Walk from Children's Corner - Score	See work details	See edition details Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Golliwog's Cake-Walk from Children's Corner - Horn in F 2	See work details	See edition details Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
String Quartet No. 1 2nd movement - Score	See work details	See edition details Jazz · Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
The Little Negro - Alto Guitar 1	See work details	See edition details Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Ballet from Petite Suite - Horn in F 2	See work details	See edition details Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Ballet from Petite Suite - Bass Trombone	See work details	See edition details Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Piano Trio G Major - Violin	See work details	See edition details Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Pour invoquer Pan, dieu de vent d'été - Score	See work details	See edition details Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Pour que la nuit soit propice - Score	See work details	See edition details Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
The Little Negro - Piano	See work details	See edition details Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Pour invoquer Pan, dieu du vent d'été - Flute	See work details	Piano Flute Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
3 Chansons de Charles d'Orléans - Score	See work details	See edition details Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Danse de la Poupee - Piano	See work details	See edition details Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Pour Invoquer Pan, Dieu Du Vent D'	See work details	Piano Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Deuxi	See work details	Piano Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details

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.