8 Levels of DEBUSSY

Headphones recommended
Sorry about the poorer than usual audio quality, especially towards the end of Clair de lune: I used a limiter this time so I could amplify the audio per some of your requests: it seems to bring back the background noise when the gain lowers and makes the audio suddenly louder or quieter sometimes :( I might not use it again for the next one
The ranking is subjective and involves consideration of both technical and musical difficulty.
If you’re new, I’m Shutian - a 16-year-old aspiring concert pianist. Please like and subscribe if you’d like to see more videos like these! :)
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[@RyanPower]

0:47 imagine going through a breakup in 1905 then debussy drops this😔😔

[@andrewdang2902]

0:10 Imagine getting cheated on in the 1950s and debussy drops this loI.

[@hillaryburdick9313]

That moment when you have spent years perfecting Claire de Lune and then you realize it’s only number 3! 😭 In all seriousness, though, this is an amazing video. Well done! 👍

[@synthbass9788]

3rd one in Suite Bergamasque too

[@triplea657aaa]

Claire de Lune is one of my favorite pieces and I think it's well worth perfecting even if it's not difficult.

[@hillaryburdick9313]

@@triplea657aaa I 100% agree!

[@sla7889]

I mean, to perfect it technically may not be one the most difficult task, but it takes a LOT to perfect it musically

[@vinneythe14th68]

@@triplea657aaa no it's difficult.. the 2nd half of the piece where the left hand arpeggios appear can be difficult for some.

[@Helloworld-xu2ui]

This man showing the world his amazing skills at 16 while i was watching memes when i was 16 😬🤩

[@ShutianCheng]

I watch more memes and tiktok cringe comps than i practise now dw

[@radu6772]

I play more dark souls than piano

[@glenngouldschair390]

Kid listens to first song: I learned a swear word Debussy thank you!!

[@sridevisudhahar309]

@@lepiplup gotta get those 40 hrs in 😭

[@LeventK]

Last time I was this early Debussy puns were still funny

[@ShutianCheng]

de*ussy

[@ValzainLumivix]

@𝄕𝄡♭2𝄆𝄚𝄚𝄚𝄚𝄚𝄚𝄚𝄚𝄚𝄚𝄇 urhb

[@thekathal]

@@ShutianCheng desussy

[@EliteKnightHelm]

@@thekathal hold up

[@fatherindia4810]

@@thekathal amgoas

[@andresgunther]

I play more Ravel in these days (to fill a gap in my musical knowledge) but Debussy is still my favorite. Though technical challenging, the real hard part is to get the musical aspect right so that it evokes the depicted scenery, and the fireworks really boom and sparkle, the rain really hazes the landscape, and so on. Thanks for this presentation! I look forward to the next one!

[@anaghshetty]

Wait, I guess I saw you in a together with Classical video's comment section too. Hello!

[@andresgunther]

@@anaghshetty Yes, I watch their videos 🙂

[@lukeellis2611]

Number 1 or 2 could've also been Gnossiene No.1 or Gymnopedie No. 1

[@tvndvne]

@@lukeellis2611that’s Érik Satie, brother.

[@powersoul6368]

Top 8 of Prokofiev

[@yashbspianoandcompositions1042]

I would imagine his piano sonatas would be his hardest.

[@yongxugan9928]

@@yashbspianoandcompositions1042 probably, but his 2nd piano concerto is hella hard

[@yashbspianoandcompositions1042]

@@yongxugan9928 that is also there. I would even think his etudes and sarcasms will make up the list as well as his toccata.

[@rachlisztchopin]

@@yashbspianoandcompositions1042 8 would be the cadenza of his 2nd piano concerto

[@YL-kl5iv]

@@rachlisztchopin the cadenza is not that difficult, I learned it in a week. What’s really hard is the second and fourth movement

[@davidegardini76]

Please top 8 of bach

[@LewisDeAlba]

Uffff yaaaaass 😍💙

[@GabrielSouza-tb9rl]

Up

[@beautifulcarpetdiagram]

+1

[@CatkhosruShapurrjiFurabji]

Mostly it would start with prelude 1 and end with Goldberg variations

[@auroracernuto8872]

@@CatkhosruShapurrjiFurabji no there are 23 easy pieces like menuet and other...

[@mariewurtz]

Popped off like you always do 👏

[@ShutianCheng]

nah thats ur rach sonata 😤

[@nicoloclementi1506]

after lots of years of listening and some years of playing piano (i’m a student myself) there’s still no composer that brings me such joy and emotions like Debussy. Not even Mozart, or Beethoven, or Prokofieff, or Ravel. Not even Bach. There’s a single piece by him that I wouldn’t listen all over and over.

[@V1xtory]

@brownkiss6144Chopin brings melancholy and sadness, not joy.

[@Sturm1619]

@@V1xtory Chopin can being a lot of joy!!

[@sassycat8114]

Me: sees vinheteiro look at the piano while playing clair de lune Him: it's level 3 My self esteem: 💀

[@aloosh1375]

Clair de lune has very hard arpeggios and it wasn't in this video, the beginning is easy

[@j2bigd590]

@@aloosh1375 it’s still level 3 compared to the other pieces

[@meszian]

@@aloosh1375 Dr parnassum is much harder than Claire de lune

[@a-trainstudios2360]

Both lvl 2, 3, and 4 are rated 6/9 on the henle scale...

[@xye6783]

@@aloosh1375 the arpeggios are easy lmao

[@user-ff1ss7sk5i]

I like this kind of content. It helps me, as an amateur, to find new horizons of beauty, inspiration and experience. I think many will agree that without a proper environment, it is quite difficult to understand the full scope and scale of composers work. Videos like this just help a lot. Thank you for what you do for yourself and for us :)

[@CharlesSzczepanek]

Shutian, it's a pleasure to hear actual music from a KZbinr for once. Thanks for uploading and playing. Good luck with your continued studies at the Royal Academy and also with competitions I'm sure you have coming up.

[@zacbell2636]

2:07 the best interpretation I've ever heard, good job and thank you for posting such an incredible video.

[@santiagocaldeira7555]

8 levels of Schumann ;)

[@TheModicaLiszt]

Beautiful playing! You are so talented, we all love you :))

[@gilbertdaroy6080]

8 levels of Rachmaninov. Brilliant playing btw.

[@glenngouldschair390]

8 levels of Rachmaninoff would be more like 8 tortures of Rachmaninoff

[@thibomeurkens2296]

Your piano skills are insane! And these videos are very enjoyable, thanks a lot creating them!

[@joannawronska4100]

SO BEAUTIFUL AS ALWAYS!!!!! Thank you for my favourite Debussy and for your excellent performances of these excerpts, your video will be helpful for many people, again my best wishes from Poland to England, have a nice weekend. Joanna

[@leoinsf]

Shutian, well played and as with all good playing, one can glory in Debussy's genius with your playing and the astute selections you have picked. Debussy was gifted, a genius, and so underestimated because his harmonic genius was masked in total melodious harmony. If one looks at all of the Debussy compositional output, one is baffled at the breadth, the richness and the beauty of what he composed. The range of composition is truly vast and I think he touched all levels of musical beauty with the depth of his compositional ability.

[@chata354]

Can you do 8 levels of beethoven?

[@chata354]

@@aaditshrivastavamusic haha thank you for noticing it

[@coucou3233]

Your profil picture is just perfect. 👌

[@chata354]

@@coucou3233 Thanks Rachmaninoff:)

[@wilh3lmmusic]

8: hammerklavier

[@chata354]

@@wilh3lmmusic yes true

[@theprodigyofprodigy4077]

8 Levels of Alkan! Level 7: Le Preux, Op. 17 Level 8: Concerto for Solo Piano, Op. 39

[@colonelthunders6209]

Level 9: Etudes for the feet only

[@mattiadamiani9812]

And what about Quatre Ages sonata?

[@colonelthunders6209]

@@mattiadamiani9812 probably level 5 imo

[@theprodigyofprodigy4077]

@@mattiadamiani9812 Level 5

[@ilikechopin8112]

Amazing piano technique you have and in-depth of Debussy. It changed my view about Debussy's music! Thanks! 👏👏👏

[@arthurhernandez3399]

I think the happy island piece should really be 7 (maybe even 8). That is a very hard piece to polish-up and has a great deal of work required. Reflections in the water and the third's etude are more uniform in the technique required.

[@Awesome-oh7op]

When you realize Shutian’s lvl 1 piece is more like my lvl 8 piece😭😭

[@maxwagner3181]

Such a great video!! Thank you very much for your content, love it.

[@clairepianist]

I chortled at how you redacted the title of the first piece 😆

[@ivanthecommunistspy1111]

Do 8 levels of Shostakovitch next.

[@yashbspianoandcompositions1042]

Yes pls his preludes and Fugues are pretty difficult

[@saqlainsiddiqui1744]

@@yashbspianoandcompositions1042 can confirm

[@hugecampaign]

Seeing L'isle joyeuse only placed at 5 made me die inside a little

[@m.a.g.3920]

Yeah man, It's taking me weeks yo reach minute 2😂😂😂

[@wobblyorbee279]

4:13 i really like your tempo and pedalling here, you have the best interpretation imo i heard so far

[@JamwebMusic]

Where are his other videos 😢

[@OMG234able]

I've honestly always thought L'isle Joyeuse was harder than Reflets dans leau (which I've learned pretty well), but now that I have your expert opinion I'll be revisiting the former! Thanks

[@nelsonanadi3248]

POV: you realise that after 8 years of practicing your at level 2 and thought you had good piano skills

[@nadiaarghh]

Exactly 💀💀

[@epointerwinboie]

to be fair debussy is a lot harder than a lot of composers

[@kowalskianalysis1710]

I think Clair de lune is easier than doctor gradus personally

[@imob1010]

@@kowalskianalysis1710 I think the pieces were subjectively rated based on Shutian’s opinion through his experience with playing the pieces- so everyone’s thinking can be different!

[@a-trainstudios2360]

@@imob1010 perhaps Clair de lune is harder because it might need more time to master

[@tomiclamor]

haahh once again,,, nailed every piece in this list 😔 give me some of your secret powers 😩 that aside,, keep it up!! 8 levels of prok maybe?? (or maybe try some form of music e.g. 8 levels of piano concerto 👀)

[@charlesfernandez201]

Please do 8 Levels of Brahms

[@feddsp]

this!!!

[@mattiaesposito9328]

His admonish create some incredible sceneries in my mind. I don’t think I’ve ever had this exact effect by anyone else. It’s incredible. I can vividly see his music. Unfortunately for him though, I do see some impressionist painting sometimes 😅. But mostly scenery of nature. Wowowwo

[@platypusmusic8843]

Damn that nostalgia coming for me… the first like 4 levels were the pieces I played when I was still taking lessons as a kid!

[@jeremystettner5804]

I just want to say I’m very impressed with your interpretations

[@JamesLongPDX]

Really great! Thanks for making this channel.

[@braden_m]

god I love Debussy - also you killed those pieces man (in the best way possible)

[@qazqa133]

Thanks for getting this back! Could you do others as well please?

[@Rochedude]

Thank you so much for putting these videos back on your channel, they always gave me a genuine motivation to sit down and work on my repertoire :) i'm learning some Kapustin right now, if you know about him

[@othfrk1]

Great dynamics. Definitely the hardest part of Debussy. You are awesome!

[@losttree9790]

I naively thought I was ready for images no 1 this year. I did get through it... But with TERRIBLE tempo and dynamics control. It's amazing how different it can sound when done well haha

[@AyberkDurgut]

Hey Shutian! Your video is really good as usual. Really congrats for your videos. I love them so much. Please keep this serie up! I want Beethoven and Bach too! Take care!

[@chloex7399]

Could you please put up the other videos again? They were such a joy to listen to

[@randomchannel-px6ho]

It's back!

[@chrishewittpiano]

That was AMAZING, Shutian!!! Holy cows, sacred beef... all the wows hehe. That thirds etude? NO THANKS! And yeah, Debussy can be hard af! Also I like that you bleeped out the title of the first one :).

[@kieranodonnell4172]

Very nice, Shutian! You are inspiring. I play only 5 Debussy pieces, and am a level 3 of 8 for him.

[@lflagr]

Beautiful playing! Love your videos. I would have probably switched L'isle joyeuse and Reflets dans l'eau in the order, though, I feel like Reflets is slightly easier. Just my opinion! :) Thanks for the great videos you post.

[@Hope-heaven-official]

You’re incredible!!! Thank you for these videos!!

[@martinlee5604]

Thank you for this excellent video. My Henle 'At The Piano' edition puts Clair de lune at Level of Difficulty 5, La Plus que lente at Level of Difficulty 5/6, and Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum at Level of Difficulty 6.

[@mitsuki1390]

Imagine my joy when I found this gem of a video! I have played most of these pieces (except 5-7), very nice interpretation! Best wishes to you!

[@divyap4357]

Fetus level: Footprints in the snow

[@goodpotato8058]

Please do a public performance!! I would love to see it !!

[@johnchessant3012]

Showing off your skill on level 2 when you play the E with the right hand rather than crossing hands :D

[@christinevanniekerk4712]

I really appreciate these difficulty level videos, as it gives me an idea of what I can and can't write for the piano as a composition student :)

[@johnchessant3012]

Liszt and Debussy are back!! I loved the 8 levels series, will you continue it?

[@savitat5004]

BEEN WAITING FOR THIS!

[@zackl7467]

Can you do 8 levels of medtner or schumann? Thanks! I feel like these composers need more love.

[@olakolade6656]

wow you are amazing as usual!

[@anaghshetty]

Oh yes, my guess was right! Thank you for making this video. Btw, if Doctor Gradus ad Pasarnum is level 2, then I’m at level 0.1 rn

[@kurtkaufman]

Well, say no more. I AM impressed! What control you have, Shutian. Good luck with your future endeavors.

[@elenarittercruz]

Bravo Shutian!!!👏🏼❤️ beautiful playing!! Expecting your next video 😁

[@HowellOsbornesMusic]

Mighty fine playing!! Awesome my friend!!

[@epicbottleflips5032]

0:25 really the blue of title. It's a part of history no need to blur

[@kgroveringer03]

Saying slurs is "part of history"...

[@bobbob-kw9qo]

hooray], you uploadud again :---)

[@retrogamerdave362]

Wonderful. I found L'Isle Joyeuse harder than Reflets lan deau, imo but both aren't easy LOL.

[@nicholasbenish618]

Man. You are absolutely incredible.

[@vvvvhhhhin]

i had waited for this :D i never though level 3 was clair de lune

[@carlosantonioguevaraalcana715]

2:58 wow, look at his right Hand, just like running like a spider!!! 😱

[@andantino5558]

Listen the whole piece. This is not the hardest part 😂

[@sassycat8114]

Cat: *runs on piano* Debussy happens to see and hear it: "Quick, write that down."

[@dredpool3927]

3:29 once I saw all the of the second notes, I said: “Oh my god he knows one of the preludes…😭😭”

[@EliteKnightHelm]

I wonder how 8 levels of Sorabji would have looked like

[@partituravid]

You are amazing. Truly.

[@bernhard9902]

MAESTRO

[@zelayaelijah]

Absolutely beautiful playing

[@warzone6700]

My favorite composer of all time. Images is a masterpiece!

[@leemitchellmusic]

Bravo! Mr Shutian Cheng!

[@user-mi2sg8bm7t]

honestly it's the first version of feux d'artifice that I really enjoy :))) please do the full version of it :OOO

[@tchalk5296]

There is a recording on his channel :)

[@larissavicente2128]

Man, this hit me so hard remember myself that i need tô practice kkkkkkkkkk that is amazing! Thank u for the post

[@yorkzie7593]

8 levels of Alkan would definitely be nice to watch

[@efrazable]

wonderful channel :) level 5 would have given me fits

[@roychan588]

I've been playing for 10 years and I'm only at level 6

[@rojavida]

Clearly, you are very accomplished and I hope you won’t take my small criticism the wrong way, but I noticed some odd phrasing in even the first piece. I might have put 2 and 3 the other way round in the order but in truth, almost all Debussy is a technical challenge at some level. I am generally and genuinely impressed overall. Thank you.

[@nathanh4728]

did you consider his fantasie for piano and orchestra for one of the levels or nah?

[@coucou3233]

Thannnk youuuu very much !!😆😆😆

[@lulcy789]

You have really nice tone

[@dianavaleriaalfaroovando3504]

Thank you for the video! Please do 8 leaves of Beethoven 🖤

[@GabrielSouza-tb9rl]

Pleade more topic of pieces!! Please! More

[@carmcarm8230]

Love your videos!!!

[@imands8958]

My thought at 3:55 SINCE WHEN DID PIANO HAVE THREE LINES??!??!?!

[@Mickieotheros]

check out the score for Rachmaninoff’s first prelude, you’ll be in for a shock at the end

[@imands8958]

@@Mickieotheros :OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[@Baneina]

Images has three lines in some parts too lol

[@_rstcm]

@@Mickieotheros opus what????

[@Mickieotheros]

@@_rstcm op. 3 no. 2

[@jeangodecoster]

Hah when the video started I expected Isle Joyeuse at 8th. Love how even lv1 is challenging. I don’t think DrGradus and Clair de Lune are that much different in difficulty though, but that’s subjective anyways. To me the challenges of both pieces are very different

[@Otokage007]

that moment you realize there are things more difficult than l'isle joyeuse

[@SirloucoPiano]

He underrated L'isle Joyeuse. Its for sure one of hardest Debussy pieces, but it's not the hardest Certainly isn't a "level 5" piece

[@baz7692]

🤯 seriously amazing shu x

[@GUILLOM]

Hi

[@baz7692]

@@GUILLOM please leave me alone

[@samuelhillmusic]

Surely lvl 10 is the chords etude 😄 Great stuff man!

[@rodterrell304]

You must be some up and coming Classical Dude. Amazing , I can't even play Level 1

[@UserUser-xk7py]

I can’t even say the title to level 1

[@mxqq4536]

I played so many of these! Fantastic video! I could disagree on isle of joy and fireworks difficulty though

[@jonathankey941]

Toooo underated Bro!

[@beanos5105]

i like how he had to censor the name of the first piece otherwise youtube would blow him up

I didn't realize of that till I read your comment

[@conanemily]

德彪西！太爱了😍