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Claude Debussy
(b. St. Germaine-en-Laye, France, 1862; d. Paris, 1918) The son of a seamstress and a traveling salesman, Debussy began his formal piano studies in 1872 at the Paris Conservatory, where he later turned to composition. In 1883 he won the Prix de Rome for his cantata L'enfant prodigue, which enabled him to study composition in Rome. As Debussy developed as a composer, he sought to break the constraints of Western harmony and structure, particularly those imposed by adhering to sonata-allegro form. His use of less standard modes shows the influence of Oriental and Russian music. Additionally, Javanese gamelan music, Wagner (whom he later rejected), and contemporary symbolist and impressionist poets influenced his compositions. Debussy created floating harmonies and a fluidity of rhythm and color that were new to Western music. His orchestral compositions include
Prelude a L'Apres-midi d'un faune, the orchestral Nocturnes,
La Mer, and Images. Piano works include Pour le Piano,
Suite Bergamasque, and numerous delightful preludes. He also wrote the opera
Pelleas et Melisande, the ballet Jeux, several chamber works, songs, choral music, and cantatas. Debussy died of cancer at age fifty-six. |
| This composer's works in St. Martin's Chamber Choir's repertoire: |
| Beau Soir |
| Trois Chansons |