Great
Classical Music
Composers

Claude DEBUSSY

22 August 1862 - 25 March 1918 (age 55)

Portrait by Paul Helm
click on image for more info

Debussy was one of the most influential composers of the 20th century. He lived in Paris at the time of the Impressionist painters, mixed with them and was influenced by their approach. He was very innovative and experimental and made new rules of composition and harmony.

More French composers here

Family

Born: 22 August 1862, St.Germain-en-Laye
Father: Manuel-Achille, owned a china shop
Mother: Victorine Manoury, a seamstress
Siblings: 4 younger siblings
Partners:
Gabrielle Dupont (cohabited for 9 years)
1st wife Rosalie Texier
2nd wife Emma Bardac
Children: daughter Claude-Emma (Chou-Chou) by Bardac. Died of diptheria at 13, a year after her father.
Death: 25 March 1918, Paris, colorectal cancer
Grave: Cimetiere de Passy, Paris, France (with his daughter)

Works:
Quantity: considerable
Style: Impressionism
Best known works:
- Clair de Lune
- Prelude à L'après-midi d'un faune
- La Mer
Genres:
-38 piano works
-35 songs
-chamber music including works for piano, cello, violin, flute, viola, harp, clarinet, bassoon, tumpet
opera: started 5 but completed only 1 - Pelleas et Melisande
-4 ballets
-14 orchestral works
-34 'dramatic' works

Clair de Lune, with rolling score

Quotes

- “Music is the arithmetic of sounds as optics is the geometry of light.”

- “In opera, there is always too much singing.”

- “The century of aeroplanes deserves its own music. As there are no precedents, I must create anew.”

- “Music is the expression of the movement of the waters, the play of curves described by changing breezes.”

- “Extreme complication is contrary to art.”

- "Art is the most beautiful of all lies."

- "I love music passionately. And because I love it I try to free it from barren traditions that stifle it."

News

La Mer

Claude's Facebook

Click on the facebook logo and then become a fan of Claude. Share your views and omments with others.

Sonata for Harp, Flute and Viola

Amazon Store

Books and CDs on Amazon.com (US)

Claude Debussy Museum

2012 French Composers Calendar

Available now.

This calendar has 12 of my portraits, all of French composers, including Claude.

Also Berlioz, Bizet, Faure, Gounod, Lully, Messiaen, Offenbach, Poulenc, Ravel, Saint-Saens and Satie.

Available from Etsy

Debussy on eBay

On eBay you will find bargains galore but more interestingly there is a treasure chest of old items. Out of print books, old recordings no longer available, memorabilia and goods no longer sold on the High Street.To see what is currently on offer take a look at: