Claude Debussy
Learn about their life story, their famous pieces, and download free scores below!
Age 7 (1870) – Began Piano Lessons
Started piano lessons despite coming from a non-musical family. His father owned a china shop, while his mother was a seamstress.
Age 8 (1871) – Faced Family Instability
His father was imprisoned following the Paris Commune, creating uncertainty for the family.
Age 10 (1872) – Entered the Paris Conservatory
Began studying at the Paris Conservatory, where his unconventional musical ideas sometimes clashed with academic expectations.
Age 18 (1880) – Worked for Tchaikovsky’s Patron
Travelled through Europe and Russia as a music tutor to the children of Nadezhda von Meck, Tchaikovsky’s wealthy patron.
Age 22 (1884) – Won the Prix de Rome
Won France’s prestigious Prix de Rome composition prize, although he later grew frustrated with its strict academic expectations.
Age 27 (1889) – Discovered Javanese Gamelan
Heard Javanese gamelan music at the Paris Exposition, inspiring new ideas about rhythm, timbre, and musical structure.
Age 33 (1893) – Began Work on Pelléas et Mélisande
Began developing the opera that would eventually establish his distinctive musical voice.
Age 35 (1895) – Published His First Major Opera
Completed Pelléas et Mélisande, which premiered in Paris in 1902 and established his reputation as a leading modern composer.
Age 42 (1904) – Began a New Relationship
Left his wife, Rosalie “Lilly” Texier, for Emma Bardac. The relationship caused a major scandal in Paris, and Debussy and Emma travelled to England.
Age 43 (1905) – Welcomed His Daughter Chouchou
His daughter Claude-Emma, affectionately known as Chouchou, was born. He also published La Mer and the piano suite Suite bergamasque, which includes the famous Clair de lune.
Age 55 (1918) – Died During World War I
Died of cancer in Paris while the city was under bombardment during World War I.
Famous Debussy Piano Pieces
01. Clair de lune
From Suite bergamasque, L. 75
02. Arabesque No. 1
L. 66
03. Rêverie
L. 68
04. La fille aux cheveux de lin
From Préludes, Book I, L. 117
05. Deux Arabesques No. 2
L. 66
06. Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune
L. 86
07. La Mer
L. 109
08. Golliwogg’s Cakewalk
From Children’s Corner, L. 113
09. Reflets dans l’eau
From Images, Book I, L. 110
10. Passepied
From Suite bergamasque, L. 75
Download Free Debussy Scores
Explore and download free piano scores of Desbussy’s most famous works.
1. Clair de lune
From Suite bergamasque, L. 75
2. Arabesque No. 1
L. 66
3. Rêverie
L. 68
4. La fille aux cheveux de lin
From Préludes, Book I, L. 1170
5. Deux Arabesques No. 2
L. 66
6. Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune
L. 86
7. La Mer
L. 109
8. Golliwogg’s Cakewalk
From Children’s Corner, L. 113
9. Reflets dans l’eau
From Images, Book I, L. 110
10. Passepied
From Suite bergamasque, L. 75
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