אטיודים מאת דביסי, עליהם הוא אמר "אני מודה שאני מרוצה ביותר מעבודה זו אשר תעזור לפסנתרנים להכיר בעובדה ששערי המוסיקה יפתחו לנגנים המיומנים על מלאכתם."
Debussy composed this cycle, and other masterful late works, in the summer of 1915. He had withdrawn to a country house near Dieppe with his family and composed with fevered concentration. The self-critical composer was very proud of his Études: “I confess that I am pleased to have created a work which – false vanity aside – will occupy a special niche. In point of technique these Études will usefully prepare pianists for a better understanding of the fact that the portals of music can only be opened with formidable hands.” Debussy’s Études are today a milestone along the path of those desirous of becoming concert pianists.