This book investigates the compositional methodology of Claude Debussy by analyzing the surviving sketches and drafts of his symphonic work, Ibéria. Matthew Brown, a scholar of music theory, applies a cognitive framework to these primary sources to argue that musical creation functions as a structured form of expert problem solving. By examining the evolution of the score from its inception to its final form, the author provides a systematic reconstruction of Debussy's creative process across the three movements of the piece.

Musicologists and theorists frequently cite this work as a foundational study for understanding the intersection of cognitive science and musicology. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which provides a rigorous look at the mechanics of orchestral composition.