Claude Debussy

Born as Achille-Claude Debussy on August 22, 1862 in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France, Claude Debussy is one of the great composers of the 20th century. At a young age, he showed musical talent and entered the Paris Conservatory in 1873. He won the 1884 Grand Prix de Rome for his cantata L’Enfant prodigue (The Prodigal Child), which allowed him a three-year stint at the Villa Medici in Rome; however, he left Rome to return to Paris after just two years. Debussy’s compositions expressed many of the same ideals as his contemporary Impressionist and Symbolist painters and writers. He challenged the traditional orchestral use of instruments and frequently used atonality. Debussy passed away from cancer on March 25, 1918.

britannica.com/biography/Claude-Debussy

Claude Debussy is featured in Edition: Guest Editor, Stephan Breuer