The music of Claude Achille Debussy(1862-1918) is usually associated with the style of Impressionism, a trend first begun in painting towards the end of the nineteenth century. In his music, Debussy developed a completely new style. He found new ways to use traditional harmonies and looked towards the East for inspiration, borrowing from “exotic” cultures and using them in his own way. In Debussy’s piano music, he employs the pentatonic scale, diatonic, chromatic and parallel chords to expand the acoustical effects of the piano.

The piano works of Debussy can be divided into three periods. In his early works, from 1880 to 1901, Debussy was influenced by Chopin and the Baroque style, although his attraction towards the pentatonic scale is already apparent. During the second period, from 1903 to 1910, the exotic influences become more prevalent and Debussy begins to use three staves. In his final period, from 1910 onward, Debussy becomes much more complex in his symbols of expression, articulation and terminology to indicate to the performer how to play the works.

The 24 Preludes, divided into 2 volumes, are important works in Debussy’s final period. Six Preludes have been chosen, all of which are musical descriptions of human beings. These preludes are, from volume I, Danseuses de Delphes, La fille aux cheveux de lin, La sérénade interrompue, Minstrels and from volume II, General Lavine－eccentric and Hommage à S. Pickwick Esq. P. P. M. P. C. These preludes are further delineated into two types. The first type is those that exalt the subject, namely Danseuses de Delphes and La fille aux cheveux de lin. The second type, which include the remaining four pieces, are humorous and contain a comic element.

In this paper, I will introduce the culture of the nineteenth century and describe music character in Debussy and his piano works. I will also give an introduction about piano preludes in general and, more specifically, Debussy’s piano preludes. Further analysis will follow, including separate analyses of each of the six pieces. It is my hope that my research and investigation into these works will help me develop my interpretation of these works. I also hope that this paper will be useful to others in their research about Debussy and, specifically, these piano works.