Debussy’s masterpiece. Popular classical music.
We introduce the works of Claude Debussy, a composer who represents France.
You can immerse yourself in the world of Impressionist music, which evokes abstract images of landscapes and people, through pieces such as Clair de Lune, Rêverie, and The Girl with the Flaxen Hair.
While he is often associated with piano and orchestral compositions, there are also many vocal works in which Debussy’s youthful talent shines—such as Nuit d’étoiles—composed when he was just 18.
Let yourself be captivated for a while by the beautiful melodies crafted by this great master of modern French music.
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Debussy’s masterpieces. Popular classical music (11–20)
Bergamasque Suite “Menuet”Claude Debussy
This piece is the second of the four movements in the Suite bergamasque, an early piano work by the French composer Claude Debussy, who is often said to mark the beginning of Impressionist music.
In the opening, the melodic line is actually split between the right and left hands in alternation, and performing it so that it sounds like one continuous melody requires a high level of technique.
The piece has a charming, slightly playful character.
Little Suite: “En bateau”Claude Debussy
Composed as a piano four-hands piece between 1886 and 1889, it appears that Claude Debussy himself, the composer, took part in the premiere in 1889.
Although originally written as a petite suite for piano four hands, it was arranged by Debussy’s friend, the French musician Henri Büsser, and received high acclaim.
Today, the orchestral arrangement is the more popular version and is frequently performed.
In “En bateau,” noted for its flowing, graceful flute melody, the harp beautifully evokes the shimmering of the river.
Please enjoy the orchestral version alongside the original.
Prélude to the Afternoon of a FaunClaude Debussy
It is an orchestral work composed between 1892 and 1894 by Claude Debussy, a composer who would later come to represent French Impressionism.
The opening flute solo has a strangely captivating atmosphere, and the sound of the harp immediately draws you into the world of the story.
The music is dreamlike, creating the illusion of having wandered into a realm of imagination.
It vividly expresses the world of picture books and novels through a rich sensibility.
This piece, Debussy’s first orchestral work after having written primarily for piano, became his breakthrough success.
Island of JoyClaude Debussy
A quintessential work of Impressionist music, this solo piano piece by Claude Debussy was composed in 1904.
Inspired by the isle of Cythera, the island of the love goddess Venus, it evokes a fantastical joy of love.
Employing ornamental figures and shifting rhythms, the piece unfolds a tapestry of finely shaded, richly colored sounds.
It premiered in Paris on February 18, 1905.
Demanding both technique and expressive nuance from the pianist, it offers the audience a beautiful escape from everyday life.
Highly recommended for those who wish to experience Debussy’s refined sensibility.
Children’s Corner No. 5: The Little ShepherdClaude Debussy
One piece from the suite Children’s Corner, composed by Claude Debussy—one of the leading composers of French Impressionist music—for his beloved daughter, Emma.
The piece is notable for its quiet melody with dotted rhythms.
The key to this piano work is exquisite timing and spacing.
Rather than reproducing the written rhythm exactly as is, it’s important to play while cherishing the moments of silence.
That said, for those who haven’t had much exposure to Debussy’s works, getting a feel for this can be difficult.
Studying the sense of timing by listening to renowned performances by famous pianists may help you grasp Debussy’s style more quickly.
small black personClaude Debussy
When it comes to lively pieces by the French modernist master Claude Debussy, many people probably think of this one.
Inspired by the African American dance known as the cakewalk, it’s a rhythmic and delightful miniature.
Over a steady duple-time pulse in the left hand, a light, syncopated melody unfolds in the right.
The music shifts to a calmer section midway, but soon returns to its original vibrant rhythm.
Born in 1862, Debussy here ambitiously embraces early 20th-century American musical culture.
It’s a piece beloved by a wide audience, from children to adults.
Debussy’s masterpieces. Popular classical music (21–30)
“Images” Series 2, No. 3: “Goldfish”Claude Debussy
The innovative compositional techniques of the French composer Claude Debussy transcended traditional harmony and modality, leaving a profound impact on later composers.
“Poissons d’or,” included in Images, Book II, was inspired by the golden carp depicted on a Japanese lacquer tray that Debussy kept in his study.
Debussy’s music resonates with a Japanese aesthetic and demands not only technical skill but also sensitivity and imagination from performers, making it recommended not only for classical music enthusiasts but also for those interested in Impressionist art and Japanese culture.