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Children's Corner, L. 113

190817 min

This guide follows Debussy’s Children's Corner, L. 113 (1908) in six parts: Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum, Jimbo's Lullaby, Serenade for the Doll, The Snow is Dancing, The Little Shepherd and Golliwogg's Cake-walk.

Recording: Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli (piano) (1962)

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Follow all 29 sections as they play

  1. IDoctor Gradus ad Parnassum
  2. IIJimbo's
  3. III for the Doll
  4. IVThe Snow is Dancing
  5. VThe Little Shepherd
  6. VIGolliwogg's Cake-walk
IDoctor Gradus ad Parnassum0:03–2:07

A finger-independence study with modern harmony that gently mocks the exercises of Clementi's Gradus ad Parnassum. The opening idea (A) twice (A′ and A″), with fresh episodes B, C and D. In the middle the music slows and tries its material in other keys, and the piece ends with a bang. Debussy joked to his publisher that it should be played very early in the morning.

  1. A
  2. B
IIJimbo's 2:32–5:39
III for the Doll6:06–8:18
IVThe Snow is Dancing8:40–11:07
VThe Little Shepherd11:29–13:23
VIGolliwogg's Cake-walk13:47–16:38

Section boundaries in music are not always sharp; a transition may be felt over a pause or a held chord.

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Claude DebussyPianoModern period

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