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 34 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
III. Serenade for the Doll	See work details	Piano	View sheet music Work & edition details
Preludes, Book I - VI. Des Pas sur la Neige	See work details	Piano	View sheet music Work & edition details
Preludes, Book I - VII. Ce qu'a vi le Vent d'Ouest	See work details	Piano	View sheet music Work & edition details
Preludes, Book I - VIII. La Fille aux Cheveux de Lin	See work details	Piano	View sheet music Work & edition details
Preludes, Book I - IX. La Serenade Interrompue	See work details	Piano	View sheet music Work & edition details
Preludes, Book I - X. La Cathedrale Engloutie	See work details	Piano	View sheet music Work & edition details
Preludes, Book I - XI. La Danse de Puck	See work details	Piano	View sheet music Work & edition details
Preludes, Book I - XII. Minstrels	See work details	Piano	View sheet music Work & edition details
La Plus que Lente, Valse	See work details	Piano	View sheet music Work & edition details
Preludes, Book II - I. Brouillards	See work details	Piano	View sheet music Work & edition details
Preludes, Book II - II. Feuilles Mortes	See work details	Piano	View sheet music Work & edition details
Preludes, Book II - III. La Puerta del Vino	See work details	Piano	View sheet music Work & edition details
Preludes, Book II - IV. "Les Fees Sont d'Exquises Danseuses"	See work details	Piano	View sheet music Work & edition details
Preludes, Book II - V. Bruyeres	See work details	Piano	View sheet music Work & edition details
Preludes, Book II - VI. "General Lavine" - Excentric	See work details	Piano	View sheet music Work & edition details
Preludes, Book II - VII. La Terrasse des Audiences du Clair de Lune	See work details	Piano	View sheet music Work & edition details
Preludes, Book II - VIII. Ondine	See work details	Piano	View sheet music Work & edition details
Preludes, Book II - IX. Hommage a S. Pickwick Esq. P.P.M.P.C.	See work details	Piano	View sheet music Work & edition details
Preludes, Book II - X. Canope	See work details	Piano	View sheet music Work & edition details
Preludes, Book II - XI. Les Tierces Alternees	See work details	Piano	View sheet music Work & edition details
Preludes, Book II - XII. Feux d'Artifice	See work details	Piano	View sheet music Work & edition details
Six epigraphes Antiques - I. Pour Invoquer Pan, Dieu du Vent d'ete	See work details	Piano	View sheet music Work & edition details
Six epigraphes Antiques - II. Pour un Tombeau sans Nom	See work details	Piano	View sheet music Work & edition details
Six epigraphes Antiques - III. Pour que la Nuit Soit Propice	See work details	Piano	View sheet music Work & edition details
Six epigraphes Antiques - IV. Pour la Danseuse aux Crotales	See work details	Piano	View sheet music Work & edition details
Six epigraphes Antiques - V. Pour l'Egyptienne	See work details	Piano	View sheet music Work & edition details
Six epigraphes Antiques - VI. Pour Remercier la Pluie au Matin	See work details	Piano	View sheet music Work & edition details
Douze etudes, Book I - I. Pour les Cinq Doigts	See work details	Piano	View sheet music Work & edition details
Douze etudes, Book I - II. Pour les Tierces	See work details	Piano	View sheet music Work & edition details
Douze etudes, Book I - III. Pour les Quartes	See work details	Piano	View sheet music Work & edition details
Douze etudes, Book I - IV. Pour les Sixtes	See work details	Piano	View sheet music Work & edition details
Douze etudes, Book I - V. Pour les Octaves	See work details	Piano	View sheet music Work & edition details
Douze etudes, Book I - VI. Pour les Huit Doigts	See work details	Piano	View sheet music Work & edition details
Douze etudes, Book II - VII. Pour les Degres Chromatiques	See work details	Piano	View sheet music Work & edition details
Douze etudes, Book II - VIII. Pour les Agrements	See work details	Piano	View sheet music Work & edition details
Douze etudes, Book II - IX. Pour les Notes Repetees	See work details	Piano	View sheet music Work & edition details
Douze etudes, Book II - X. Pour les Sonorites Opposees	See work details	Piano	View sheet music Work & edition details
Douze etudes, Book II - XI. Pour les Arpeges Composes	See work details	Piano	View sheet music Work & edition details
Douze etudes, Book II - XII. Pour les Accords	See work details	Piano	View sheet music Work & edition details
L'Enfant Prodigue - I. Prelude	See work details	Piano	View sheet music Work & edition details
L'Enfant Prodigue - II. Cortege	See work details	Piano	View sheet music Work & edition details
L'Enfant Prodigue - III. Air de Danse	See work details	Piano	View sheet music Work & edition details
Danses - I. Danse Sacree	See work details	Piano	View sheet music Work & edition details
Danses - II. Danse Profane	See work details	Piano	View sheet music Work & edition details
The Engulfed Cathedral	See work details	See edition details	View sheet music Work & edition details
No. 10: La cathedrale engloutie	See work details	See edition details	View sheet music Work & edition details
Cortège	See work details	Piano	View sheet music Work & edition details
Children's Corner¶ Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum	See work details	Piano	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.