Claude Debussy

Achille-Claude Debussy (August 22, 1862 – March 25, 1918) was a composer of European classical music. He developed the style commonly referred to as Impressionist music. Debussy's music represents the transition from late-romantic music to 20th century music.

Early Life

Claude Debussy was born in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Yvelines, France. He studied with Guiraud and others at the Paris Conservatoire from 1872 until 1884, and won the prestigious Prix de Rome in 1884. As part of the prize, Debussy traveled to Rome, Italy to further his studies. Unhappy with the situation in Rome, Debussy returned to Paris.

Related Topics:
Saint-Germain-en-Laye - Yvelines - France - Paris - Prix de Rome - Rome, Italy

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Though he had received a formal, academic training as a composer, Debussy would go on to challenge the music establishment. Early on, while Debussy was studying at the conservatoire, his peers and professors noted that he was a rebellious and free-thinking student with little respect for traditional rules in music composition. This attitude characterized Debussy's approach to music.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Attracted to the avant-garde movements in Europe at the time, Debussy allied himself with the symbolists poets, who would prove a major inspiration for him. Additionally, Debussy was also known to have an interest in painting, later even stating that if he had not become a composer he would have chosen to be a painter. The works being produced in France during his lifetime were of significant interest to him.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Wagner, who earlier had broken with tradition through his elaborate chromatic harmonies, also influenced the young composer, who traveled to Bayreuth in 1888 and 1889 to listen to performances of Wagner's works. Wagner's influence is evident in Debussy's early cantata La damoiselle élue (1888) and the Cinq poèmes de Baudelaire (1889).

Related Topics:
Wagner - Bayreuth - Cantata - Baudelaire

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

At the Paris Exhibition of 1889, Debussy heard Javanese gamelan music for the first time. This pentatonic music was to play a pivotal role in his musical development. Debussy's interest in Asian arts continued through his lifetime, and the pentatonic scale frequently appears in his mature works.

Related Topics:
Gamelan - Pentatonic

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Songs of the period, notably the settings of Paul Verlaine (Ariettes oubliées, Trois mélodies, Fêtes galantes, set 1) were composed in a capricious, typically French style.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~