Can you recognize Debussy by ear?
Claude Debussy (1862–1918) was a French composer, known for Clair de lune, Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun and La mer. In Guess the Composer, you hear up to 30 seconds of music and name the composer.
How to recognize Debussy
Listen for floating harmonies that do not push toward a resolution, whole-tone and pentatonic scales, and soft colors instead of a strong beat. Chords often slide in parallel, and melodies dissolve into the texture.
Who can Debussy be mistaken for?
Listeners may confuse this music with that of Maurice Ravel, Erik Satie or Gabriel Fauré.
How hard is Debussy in the game?
The game has up to 37 excerpts by Debussy, depending on your country, and most are at the Medium level.
Pieces you may hear
- Suite bergamasque, L. 75, CD 82
- Deux Arabesques, L. 66
- Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, L. 86, CD 87
- Children’s Corner, L. 113, CD 119
- L’Isle joyeuse, L. 106, CD 109
- Préludes, Livre I, L. 117, CD 125
- Rêverie, L. 68, CD 76
- La plus que lente, L. 121, CD 128
Portrait: Adam Cuerden, Public domain; background removed.
