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 (41–50)
Arabesque No. 1Claude Debussy
Claude Debussy’s frequently performed masterpiece, Arabesque No.
1, is essential when learning polyrhythms.
Even if you don’t know it by name, many of you have probably heard it—it’s even used in car commercials in Japan.
If I had to sum it up in a single phrase, I’d call it a fountain of sound.
It’s a remarkably beautiful piece that is both brilliant and delicately fluid, like water.
The atmosphere changes significantly depending on the pedaling, so it can be interesting to compare performances by different pianists.
Arabesque No. 1Claude Debussy
Claude Debussy, the French composer, showed musical talent from an early age and studied piano and composition at the Paris Conservatoire.
Arabesque No.
1 is one of Debussy’s early works, a popular piece noted for its elegant and refined melody.
An “arabesque” is an Arabic-style ornamental pattern, and the beauty of its curves is expressed in the music.
Played with flowing arpeggios and a light, transparent touch, it can make you feel as if you’ve wandered into a painting.
This work lets you fully savor the mysterious beauty of Debussy’s music, a hallmark of the Impressionist movement.
MoonlightClaude Debussy
One of the signature works by Claude Debussy, a composer who represents French modern music.
This dreamy and beautiful piece conjures a vision of the moon faintly floating in a quiet night sky and the mysterious space bathed in its light.
Although it is one of the pieces from the piano suite Suite bergamasque, it is often performed on its own, and many adults are inspired by this piece to begin learning the piano.
While not particularly difficult technically, conveying the world of the piece is extremely challenging.
Looking at photos of moonlit landscapes to expand your concrete imagery as you play is highly recommended!
Children’s Corner No. 1: “Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum”Claude Debussy
A representative work of French Impressionism is included in the piano suite Children’s Corner.
Dedicated to Claude Debussy’s beloved daughter, this piece is a short work of about two minutes that premiered in Paris in December 1908.
While satirically imitating the style of classical études, its lively, playful character is highly appealing.
It brims with refined harmonic sensibility and humor, avoiding the monotony often associated with mechanical études.
Often recommended for early-morning performance, it combines a fresh atmosphere with expressive musicality and is very popular as concert repertoire.
It is a piece I would especially recommend to performers seeking a short work that can captivate an audience in a brief span.
Starlit NightClaude Debussy
A soprano singer from France, praised as one of the greatest of our time.
Her gentle yet radiant voice is captivating, but she has been plagued by vocal cord problems that have forced her to undergo surgery multiple times.
She is now active across a broader range of genres beyond classical music.
In this piece, you can fully enjoy Dessay’s characteristically light, soaring high notes.
Andante con motoClaude Debussy
Music can easily change a person’s mood.
When your mood shifts, your senses and even your physical condition can change as well.
If you’re tired of Japan’s stifling summer, why not cool off with some music? Debussy’s famous piece “Andante con moto” is widely used in commercials and TV programs in Japan.
Its gentle, refreshing tone evokes the fleeting moments when a cool breeze brushes through the summer heat.
It’s also perfect as background music for sleep, so if summer makes it hard for you to rest comfortably, this is a must-try.
Golliwogg’s Cakewalk – Children’s CornerClaude Debussy
This is a piece from a piano suite composed in 1908 by Claude Debussy, a leading composer of French Impressionist music, for his beloved daughter Chouchou.
Drawing on the then-popular Black doll “Golliwogg” and the American Southern dance “cakewalk,” it is a work brimming with humor and creativity.
It features lively syncopated rhythms and playful melodies, and even includes a quotation in the middle section from Wagner’s music drama.
It is noted as a pioneering attempt to fuse Western classical music with African American musical elements.
Highly recommended for those wishing to perform at a piano recital—the light, cheerful atmosphere will brighten the hall.