Sheet Music: The Little Shepherd

TitleThe Little Shepherd
from Children's Corner
Alternate titlesLe Petit Berger
Opus numberL. 113
ComposerClaude Debussy (1862–1918)
InstrumentationFlute and Piano
KeyA major
RangeE4–F#6
Time signature4/4
Tempo68 BPM
Performance time1:55
Difficulty levelintermediate
Download printable scorePDF Sheet Music (124 kB) (preview)
Download audio tracksMIDI (change tempo/key) MP3 (1.6 MB)
Play-along accompanimentMIDI (change tempo/key) MP3 (1.7 MB)
Date added2009-12-29
Last updated2009-12-29
Download popularity index☆☆☆☆☆ 1.8 (above average)
Categories
20th century

Performances

There are no recordings for this tune yet. Submit yours!

Tuesday 29 December 2009

Tune of the Day: The Little Shepherd

from “Children's Corner” by Claude Debussy

Debussy dedicated his 1908 piano cycle Children's Corner to his five-year old daughter, writing in his dedication: “To my beloved little Chou-Chou, with the tender excuses of her father for that which follows”. The composer's sentiments were presumably an acknowledgment of the inevitable loss of innocence that comes with growing up, but his words take on a darker, more prophetic, hue in hindsight: only a decade later, Debussy was dead, and his daughter was to follow him next year.

The fifth piece in the suite, titled “The Little Shepherd”, is a witty piece in a pastorale style. It tells a story of a young shepherd, playing his pipe, dancing around the meadow, resting by a tree, and finally falling asleep. The expressive simplicity of the piece is conveyed by imitating soliloquy on shepherd's reed pipes which alternates with accompanied dance tunes.

Other Movements from the same Work

5.The Little Shepherd Flute & Piano
6.Golliwogg's Cakewalk Flute quartet