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Late Romantic and Impressionist · character piece

Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum, Children's Corner No. 1

Claude Debussy · Level 7, estimated · With Maestro

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The short answer

Debussy's playful answer to piano exercises. Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum, Children's Corner No. 1 is a character piece by Claude Debussy from the Late Romantic and Impressionist era. PlayPiano puts it at Level 7, an estimate.

On this page
  • character piece
  • Late Romantic and Impressionist
  • joyful
  • playful
  • broken chords
  • voicing

Also known as CD 119 No. 1; Children's Corner - Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum; Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum: Children's Corner No. 1; FL 119 No. 1; L. 113 No. 1 (older Lesure numbering).

History

Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum points to Clementi's piano studies. Debussy described it to his publisher as a healthy, progressive exercise, according to François Lesure's preface.

Sources

What to listen for

  1. A flowing opening

    A brief upper rest gives way to continuous sixteenth-note figures over a sustained C. Listen for an even flow, not a hard accent on every note.

  2. The pattern reaches higher

    The upper pattern climbs into a higher register while the lower C continues. Keep the same lightness as the pattern expands.

  3. A line within the motion

    Longer upper notes alternate with rests while another upper voice continues the quick pattern. Hear the longer notes as a line above the motion.

  4. The line descends

    The longer upper notes descend B, A, G and F while the quicker voice continues underneath. Follow that descending line without making the texture heavy.

How to practise it

Keep the running figure even without losing the sustained foundation.

  1. Keep the short-note pulse even.
  2. Preserve the lower tie.
  3. Hear the new upper layer when it enters.

How hard is it

Level 7, estimated

The retained native observations include opening sixteenth-note motion above a held bass, layered upper voices and a forceful final measure. The target values balance and control across those contrasts.

About this piece

Interpretive sketch of Claude Debussy, an illustration and not a verified likeness
An illustration, not a portrait
Collection
French piano colors
Licence
CC0
Source
musescore.com

More by Claude Debussy

  1. The Little Shepherd, Children's Corner No. 5Level 5, estimatedWith Maestro
  2. Clair de lune, Suite bergamasque, L. 75Level 8, estimatedWith Maestro
  3. La cathédrale engloutie, Préludes I No. 10Level 8, estimatedWith Maestro

With Maestro

Play it, slow it down, hear where you land

Keep the running figure even without losing the sustained foundation.

Practise it in PlayPiano