Biography and Chief Works of 

Claude Achille Debussy  

1862.

Born near Paris of an unmusical family, but showed musical talent at an early age.

1873.

Sent to Paris Conservatoire.

1884.

Won the Prix de Rome, for cantata 'L'Enfant prodigue'.  This prize carries residence in Italy.  While in Rome began to change his ideas.  The compositions he sent back to France shocked the Conservatoire.  

1887.

Returned to France, and set about acquiring literary culture.  Attracted to poet Mallarm6, and to impressionist painters.  Became one of their "set".  Wrote several collections of songs.  Had previously been under the influence of Wagner and Moussorgsky, and French composers older than himself.  Now thought out new harmonic system.

1892.

Wrote prelude 'L’Aprés Midi d'un Faune', based on a poem of Mallarmé’s.  Entirely new harmony, orchestration and rhythm.  Equivalent of impressionistic painting.  Use of whole-tone scale, and parallel discords.

1893.

Wrote a string quartet, also on new lines, and a number of other works.

1902.

Opera 'Pelléas et Mélisande', on the play by Maeterlinck.

Suggestive and impressionistic, creating a dream-like, otherworldly atmosphere.  Based on free recitative.

1908.

Conducted concerts in London, and again in 1909.  Also Vienna and Budapest in 1909.  Later, became very ill, but continued to compose.  

1918.

Died.

An impressionist composer.  Revolted against both classicism and romanticism.  Occasional use of whole-tone scale.  Addition of 2nds and 6ths to triads.  Use of overtones and parallel discords.  

A new pianistic idiom, making much use of the pedal.  Very individual style, not used by succeeding composers.  

Opera:

 'Pelléas et Melisande'.

Orchestral works:

Prelude 'L’Aprés Midi d'un Faune'; 3 symphonic sketches, 'La Mer'; 3 nocturnes; etc.

Chamber music:

string quartet; sonata for flute, viola and harp.

Piano:

2 Arabesques; 'Suite Bergamasque'; 'Children's Comer Suite'; 6 'Images', including 'Reflets dans I'Eau'; 24 preludes, including 'La Cathédrale engloutie'; etc.

Songs:

set many poems by contemporary French poets, such as Verlaine's 'Ariettes oubliées'.