Claude Debussy was a true original.
He was an artist who reshaped the sound of classical music with shimmering harmonies, delicate textures, and a deep love of mood and atmosphere. His music doesn’t thunder or shout; it whispers, drifts, and dazzles, often feeling more like painting with sound than traditional composition.
For newcomers to classical music, Debussy is a brilliant starting point: his works are rich, imaginative, and surprisingly approachable. From dreamlike piano pieces to lush orchestral soundscapes, his music invites listeners into a world that’s both intimate and expansive. Here are 15 essential Debussy works that offer a perfect introduction, chosen by pianist George Lepauw.
- Debussy featured strongly in our ranking of the greatest composers of all time
Debussy for beginners: George Lepauw's choices
1. 'Feux d’artifice' (1913)
Debussy’s final Prelude is named Fireworks, a worthy title for this virtuosic and drama-filled piece that seems to predict the cataclysm of the coming Great War. It is also interesting to note that this was composed the year of the premiere of Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring (which Debussy attended)!
2. Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune (1894)
Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune is the first great Debussy orchestral masterpiece, bringing the composer out from the salon and into the grand concert hall. It's just as enthralling to listen to today. Leonard Bernstein was a sensitive conductor with an ear to the subtleties of and strength in Debussy’s music. The joy Bernstein felt conducting this music is contagious.
3. La mer (1905)
La Mer is one of Debussy's best known orchestral works – and one of the most inspiring. This is a symphonic poem, as close to a proper symphony as anything Debussy ever came to. In this version by the Boston Symphony Orchestra conducted by the legendary Charles Münch, we have a great mid-century version that easily stands the test of time.
- The Boston Symphony Orchestra is one of America's original 'Big Five'. We also named it as one of the greatest orchestras in the world.
4. 'Clair de lune' (1890-1905)
Like Beethoven’s Für Elise, this is one of those pieces that makes a composer famous even to non-classical music listeners. It's a truly magical piece, which most do not realise is the third movement of a four-movement suite inspired by Verlaine’s famous poem, Clair de Lune... Debussy for beginners probably starts here.
5. Pelléas et Mélisande (1893-1902)
Pelléas et Mélisande is a revolution in opera, and it’s hard to capture its beauty on the fly. But, even if you don't have time for more than a few minutes, do listen to the opening bars of this extraordinary work. Debussy was at first obsessed with Wagner; here he turns against the style of the German composer and finds another path for opera, more naturalistic, and perhaps opening the path for film scoring.
More Debussy for beginners
6. 'Mes longs cheveux'
This is a gorgeous version of a segment from Pelléas (above), with Debussy himself accompanying Mary Garden at the piano. Garden was Debussy’s chosen Mélisande for the world premiere of his opera, and we can immediately notice the absolute warmth in her voice which Debussy adored.
Hear Debussy playing his own composition, below.
7. 'La soirée dans Grenade' (1903)
Again, seek out Debussy playing his own work gere if you can. It's quite extraordinary to hear the composer’s own interpretation, and the ability to hear his tempo, voicing and overall feeling for the work. Estampes, from which this piece is taken, was inspired by Debussy’s love of Japanese prints, even though this particular work is musically inspired by Spain!
8. 'Sirènes' from Nocturnes (1899)
Lush and beautiful, this version is clearly close to the composer’s vision of warmth and languorous sounds. Pierre Monteux (pictured), born the same year as Debussy's friend-cum-rival Maurice Ravel, conducted the premiere of Debussy’s Jeux and led the viola section in the world premiere of Pelléas et Mélisande.
9. String Quartet (1893)
Debussy’s String Quartet is bold, expressive, and bursting with colour. Its rich harmonies and rhythmic drive broke with tradition, helping usher in musical modernism. It’s a thrilling chamber piece with real emotional depth. The Quatuor Zaïde's performance (below) is full of energy, warmth and love for this music.
10. 'Reflets dans l’eau' (1905)
Walter Gieseking was famous for his interpretations of Debussy. There is so much magic in this luminous interpretation of this piece from the piano suite Images. Perhaps Debussy’s most impressionistic work, these 'Reflections in Water' are a staple of the piano repertoire. This kind of playing is just not heard anymore.
11. Cello Sonata (1915)
This performance by the magnificent cellist Mstislav Rostropovich and composer/pianist Benjamin Britten is so free and vocal! This sonata was one of Debussy’s last major works, and is an important piece for all cellists. It also makes a great entry point into Debussy for beginners.
12. 'La fille aux cheveux de lin' (1909)
This is my recently released version of this sweet work, 'The Girl with the Flaxen Hair'. Inspired by a poem by Leconte de Lisle, Debussy had written a song on this poem in his youth. Here, in his mature years, he returns to the idea of sweet innocence for this piano solo interpretation of the same idea.
