Abstract As a leading composer of Impressionism, Debussy constantly wrote works of piano music over his whole creative life and held an influential position in piano music of the early twentieth century. In his works, we can easily recognize his experiments on pianistic sounds as well as his liberally innovative techniques, which add dense and light colors in timbre and invent a multilayerd musical world in audition. Images I and II, written between 1905 and 1907, are works of Debussy's second period. This period is the zenith of Debussy's exploration in pianistic sounds, and furthermore works of this period are rich in imagination. Images I include three musical pieces ¡§Reflect dans l¡¦Eau¡¨ ¡B¡§Hommage a Rameau¡¨ and ¡§Mouvement¡¨, So do Images II ¡§Cloches a travers les Feuilles¡¨ ¡B ¡§Et la Lune descend sur le Temple qui fut¡¨ and ¡§Poissons d¡¦Or¡¨. This thesis comprises five sections. The first is about Debussy's life and his creative career; the second about influences from Impressionism and Symbolism on Debussy's styles; the third about the background of Images; the fourth about the structures of Images, which will be discussed respectively according to the following categories: structures of musical forms and raw materials, modes and melody, harmonies, and special rhythms; the fifth about analyses, based on my own experiences in playing Images, of some technical practices and interpretations. Playing Debussy's works first necessitates imagination of the player and a good command of sounds so that the works are able to display their spirits completely. I also expect for a further understanding about Debussy's music through technically practicing.

Thesis--Wisconsin. / Vita. Bibliography: leaves 117-118.

Diss.--Philosophie--Princeton (N.J.)--Princeton Univ., 1995. / Version pour alto et piano par l'auteur.

Thesis (D.M.A.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2001. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 103-106). Available also in a digital version from Dissertation Abstracts.

Thesis (D.M.A.)--University of North Texas, 2007. / System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Accompanied by 3 recitals, recorded Feb. 27, 2006, Sept. 25, 2006, and July 21, 2007. Includes bibliographical references (p. 51-55).

Thesis (D.M.A.)--University of Texas at Austin, 1999. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 210-213). Discography: leaf 214. Available also in a digital version from Dissertation Abstracts.

Inaug.-Diss.--Erlangen-Nürnberg. / Vita. Bibliography: p. 140-143.

Thesis (M.M. Ed)--Chicago Musical College. / Includes bibliography.

Thesis (D.M.A)--Northwestern University, 1982. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 166-172).

Thesis (D.M.A.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2001. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Available also from UMI Company.