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 2 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.
| Work | Year composed | Catalogue / opus | Key in title | Listed instruments | Genre | Editions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golliwogg's Cake-walk from CHILDREN'S CORNER | — | — | — | Piano, Flute | Classical | 25 |
| Suite bergamasque, L. 75, CD 82a, pour piano : III. Clair de lune | — | — | — | Piano, Organ, Guitar, Oboe, violin, Voice, Recorder, Piccolo, Harmonica | Classical | 20 |
| Préludes, Livre I, L. 117: IV. «Les sons et les parfums tournent dans l'air du soir». Modéré | — | — | — | Piano | Classical | 15 |
| Préludes, Livre I, L. 117: XI. La danse de Puck. Capricieux et léger | — | — | — | Piano, harpsichord | Classical | 20 |
| D'un cahier d'esquisses, L. 99 | 1904 (January)IMSLP | — | — | Piano | Classical | 20 |
| Pour le Piano | 1894-1901Wikidata | — | — | Piano | Classical | 12 |
| Golliwog's Cakewalk | — | — | — | Piano, Guitar, violin | Blues, Jazz, Classical | 19 |
| Préludes, Livre I, L. 117: II. Voiles. Modéré | — | — | — | Piano, harpsichord | Classical | 21 |
| Nocturne, L. 82, CD 89, pour piano | 1892IMSLP | — | — | Piano, Flute | Classical | 22 |
| Masques, L. 105 | 1903-04IMSLP | — | — | Piano | Classical | 15 |
| Nocturnes, L 91 | 1892IMSLP | — | — | Piano, Harp, Organ, Cello, Flute, Oboe, violin, strings, Bassoon, Double Bass, Horn, Clarinet, Trombone, Timpani | Classical | 25 |
| Petite Suite | 1886-89IMSLP | — | — | Piano, Harp, Organ, Cello, Flute, Oboe, violin, Bassoon, Hands, Double Bass, Horn, Clarinet, Trombone, Timpani, Tr | Classical | 20 |
| Debussy: Douze Etudes | — | — | — | Piano | Classical | 15 |
| The Little Negro (Piano solo) | — | — | — | Piano, Cello, Saxophone | Classical | 11 |
| Children's Corner | 1906-1908IMSLP | — | — | Piano | Classical | 13 |
| Paysage sentimental | 1883IMSLP | — | — | Piano, Organ, Voice, Low Voice | Classical | 13 |
| 6. Golliwog's Cake-Walk | — | — | — | Piano, Cello, Flute, violin, Viola | Classical | 11 |
| La plus que lente, L. 121 | 1910IMSLP | — | — | Piano, Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Viola | Classical | 19 |
| Syrinx, L. 129, CD 137 | 1913IMSLP | — | — | Piano, Guitar, Flute, Clarinet, Alto, Piccolo, Saxophone, Accordion | Classical | 13 |
| Préludes, Livre II, L. 123: V. Bruyères. Calme | — | — | — | Piano, Flute, Saxophone | Classical | 21 |
| Préludes, Livre II, L. 123: I. Brouillards. Modéré | — | — | — | Piano | Classical | 18 |
| Danse bohémienne | 1880IMSLP | — | — | Piano, Clarinet, Saxophone | Classical | 15 |
| Six épigraphes antiques | 1914-15IMSLP | — | — | Piano | Classical | 13 |
| 1912-13IMSLP | — | — | Piano, Flute, Oboe, strings, Bassoon, Horn, Clarinet, Tambourine, Triangle, English Horn, Cymbals, Xylophone | Classical | 12 | |
| General Lavine - Excentric | — | — | — | Piano | Classical | 14 |
| Images, Livre 2, L. 111: No. 3. Poissons d'or | 1907IMSLP | — | — | Piano | Classical | 14 |
| Préludes, Livre II, L. 123: XII. Feux d'artifice. Modérément animé | — | — | — | Piano, harpsichord | Classical | 19 |
| Jeux, L. 126 | — | — | — | Piano, Harp, Organ, Cello, Flute, Oboe, violin, Bassoon, Double Bass, Horn, Clarinet, Trombone, Timpani, Trumpet | Classical | 22 |
| Les Cloches, L. 79, CD 66, mélodie pour voix et piano "Les feuilles s’ouvraient sur le bord des branches" | — | — | — | Piano, Organ, Cello, Voice, Low Voice | Classical | 15 |
| Fleur des blés | 1881IMSLP | — | — | Piano, Organ, Voice, Low Voice | Classical | 10 |
| First Arabesque | — | — | — | Piano | Classical | 11 |
| Debussy: Deux Arabesques | — | — | — | Piano, Flute | Classical | 12 |
| Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune, L. 86, CD 87 | 1891-94IMSLP | — | — | Piano, strings, Piccolo | Classical | 23 |
| Images, Livre 1, L. 110: No. 2. Hommage à Rameau | — | — | — | Piano | Classical | 18 |
| Ariettes oubliées, L. 60, CD 63a : IV. Paysages belges. Chevaux de bois, mélodie pour voix et piano "Tournez, tournez, bons chevaux de bois" | 1885-87, rev.1903IMSLP | — | — | Piano, Voice, Low Voice | Classical | 12 |
| Mazurka | 1890IMSLP | — | — | Piano, Flute, Oboe | Classical | 21 |
| D'un Cahier De Esquisses (From A Sketchbook) | — | — | — | Piano | Classical | 12 |
| Will The Circle Be Unbroken? | — | — | — | Guitar | Classical | 12 |
| Préludes, Livre I, L. 117: IX. La sérénade interrompue. Modérément animé | — | — | — | Piano, Harp, harpsichord, Flute | Classical | 15 |
| Images pour orchestre, L 122: III. Rondes de printemps | — | — | — | Piano, Harp, Organ, Cello, Flute, Oboe, violin, Bassoon, Orchestra, Double Bass, Horn, Clarinet, Trombone, Timpan | Classical | 9 |
| Études, L. 136: XII. Pour les accords | — | — | — | Piano | Classical | 11 |
| Girl With Flaxen Hair | — | — | — | Piano | Classical | 10 |
| Pour la danseuse aux crotales from Six Epigraphes antiques (Piano solo) | — | — | — | Piano, Flute | Classical | 9 |
| II. Cortege | 1886-89IMSLP | — | — | Piano | Classical | 10 |
| Préludes, Livre II, L. 123: IX. Hommage à S. Pickwick Esq. P.P.M.P.C.. Grave | — | — | — | Piano | Classical | 12 |
| Mandoline, L. 29, CD 43, mélodie pour voix et piano "Les donneurs de sérénades" | 1882 (November 15, Vienna)IMSLP | — | — | Piano, Harp, Organ, Voice, Clarinet, Timpani, Piccolo, percussion, Low Voice | Classical | 14 |
| Nuit d | 1880IMSLP | — | — | Piano, Organ, Voice, Choir, Low Voice | Classical | 10 |
| Soiree Dans Grenade | — | — | — | Piano | Classical | 11 |
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.