Debussy confidently wrote to his publisher Jacques Durand in August 1905: 'I believe ' without unwarranted vanity ' that these three pieces will prove to be good and that they will take a prominent place in the literature of piano music ' to the left of Schumann or to the right of Chopin 'as you like it'. Debussy's 'Images', already popular during Debussy's lifetime, delight with their iridescent tone colour and dazzling harmonies which reflect the newest discoveries in harmonic chemistry'. The virtuosic second series is notated throughout on three staves. In commemoration of Debussy's 150th birthday, Bärenreiter is publishing an Urtext edition of these pieces reflecting the most recent scholarship and source analysis. Clear presentation, fingering by Tamara Stefanovich and valuable information on performance practice all offer optimal conditions for the study of the work.