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 13 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
Golliwog's Cakewalk - Trombone	See work details	See edition details Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
No. 10: La Cathédral Engloutie	See work details	See edition details Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Sonata No. 2 for Flute, Viola and Harp - Viola	See work details	Harp Flute Viola Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
No. 3: Le vent dans le plaine	See work details	See edition details Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Le Temps A Laissié Son Manteau	See work details	Piano Voice Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Golliwogg's Cakewalk - Euphonium 2 BC/TC	See work details	See edition details Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Golliwogg's Cakewalk - Trumpet 2	See work details	See edition details Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Golliwog's Cake-Walk from Children's Corner - B-flat Trumpet 1	See work details	See edition details Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
The Little Negro - Alto Guitar 2	See work details	See edition details Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Ballet from Petite Suite - B-flat Trumpet 1	See work details	See edition details Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Ballet from Petite Suite - Tuba	See work details	See edition details Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Piano Trio G Major - Cello	See work details	See edition details Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Pour invoquer Pan, dieu de vent d'été - Preface	See work details	See edition details Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Pour que la nuit soit propice - Preface	See work details	See edition details Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum from Children's Corner - Preface	See work details	See edition details Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
The Little Negro - Preface	See work details	See edition details Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Pour invoquer Pan, dieu du vent d'été - Preface	See work details	See edition details Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Danse de la Poupee - Preface	See work details	See edition details Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Danse Boh	See work details	Piano Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Golliwog's Cakewalk - Euphonium	See work details	See edition details Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Nuit de Paix	See work details	Piano Flute Jazz · Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Ballet from Petite Suite: 1st Violin	See work details	Orchestra Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Ballet from Petite Suite: 2nd Violin	See work details	Orchestra Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Ballet from Petite Suite: Viola	See work details	Orchestra Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Ballet from Petite Suite: Cello	See work details	Orchestra Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
No. 03: Le vent dans le plaine	See work details	See edition details	View sheet music Work & edition details
No. 07: Ce qu'a vu le vent. d'Ouest	See work details	See edition details	View sheet music Work & edition details
Little Shepherd,The	See work details	See edition details	View sheet music Work & edition details
Sonata No. 2 for Flute, Viola and Harp	See work details	Harp Flute Viola	View sheet music Work & edition details
Violin Sonata No. 3	See work details	Piano violin	View sheet music Work & edition details
String Quartet No. 1 2nd movement	See work details	See edition details	View sheet music Work & edition details
Chanson No. 2	See work details	See edition details	View sheet music Work & edition details
Andantino - From the 3rd movement of "String Quartet No. 1, Op. 10"	Catalogue / opus Op. 10	See edition details	View sheet music Work & edition details
Andantino - From "Quartet in G minor, Op. 10, Mvt. III"	Catalogue / opus Op. 10 Key in title G minor	See edition details	View sheet music Work & edition details
Clair d' Lune	See work details	See edition details	View sheet music Work & edition details
Gollywog's Cake Walk	See work details	Flute Oboe Bassoon 2 more instruments Horn Clarinet	View sheet music Work & edition details
Debussy Children's Corner for Woodwind Quintet	See work details	Flute Oboe Bassoon 2 more instruments Horn Clarinet	View sheet music Work & edition details
Trois Ballades de François Villon, L. 119: III. Ballade des femmes de Paris	See work details	See edition details Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Trois Ballades de François Villon, L. 119: I. Ballade de Villon à s'Amye	See work details	See edition details Classical	View sheet music Work & edition details
Apparition	Year composed 1884 ↗	See edition details	View sheet music Work & edition details
Work & excerpts Ariettes oubliées 5 excerpt listings	See work details	Check individual editions	View sheet music Contents & editions
Ballade	See work details	See edition details	View sheet music Work & edition details
3 Ballades de François Villon	See work details	See edition details	View sheet music Work & edition details
Beau Soir	See work details	See edition details	View sheet music Work & edition details
La belle au bois dormant	See work details	See edition details	View sheet music Work & edition details
Berceuse héroïque	See work details	See edition details	View sheet music Work & edition details
Clair de Lune	See work details	See edition details	View sheet music Work & edition details
D'un Cahier d'Esquisses	Year composed 1911 ↗	See edition details	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.