The story of claude debussy duhbuhsee is the story of a genius. Claude achille debussy 22 august 1862 25 march 1918 was a french composer. Along with maurice ravel, he was one of the most prominent figures associated with impressionist music, though he himself disliked the term when applied to his compositions. Claude debussys musical style background debussy provided the first real alternative to the music and style of the german romantic wagnerians. For videosposts on other musical eras, be sure to check out. The first book was composed between 1901 and 1905, and the second book was composed in 1907. Marianne wheeldons recently relased iu press book debussys late style explores composer claude debussys musical responses to world war i. The piece was influenced by poetry, baroque music and the. They were published in two books series, each consisting of three pieces. Claude debussy biography life, family, children, wife. Claude debussy, french composer whose works were a seminal force in the music of the 20th century. Claude debussy 18621918 debussy was the french composer, the pianist, the conductor, the critic. Apr 23, 2008 claude debussy 18621918 is the subject of this fairly brief, but very engaging and wellillustrated biography.
It is 240 pages, lavishly illustrated, and focuses more on the life of debussy than on the details of his music. Roberts is mainly focused on debussy s relationships with the people in his life. Paul roberts book on the french composer claude debussy is a wellresearched and wellwritten document on this dynamic musical genius. Claude debussy in 1908 this is a complete list of compositions by claude debussy initially. Claude debussy born achilleclaude debussy was among the most influential composers of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. This is due to the fact that debussys approach to composition was beset by vague suggestion. In addition, perhaps because debussys style is so prone to mannerism. Claude debussys preludes are 24 pieces for solo piano, divided into two books of 12 preludes each. In todays episode of pianotv, were going to look at impressionist music well talk about the composers who played a role in this sound movement namely debussy, what the impressionist style sounds like, and characteristics of the music well also use plenty of examples of impressionist music so that you can get a sense of the era in your ears. Debussys late style explores claude debussys musical responses to world war i.
Debussy continued to compose and in 1894, he completed one of his most famous works prelude a lapresmidi dun faune prelude to the afternoon of a faun. The book then moves on to consider more detailed aspects of the style and language of the opera. It is the eighth piece in the composers first book of preludes, written between late 1909. His piano works exploit to the utmost the subtle coloristic possibilities of the instrument.
Debussys late style musical meaning and interpretation. Mar 17, 2017 although debussy very much liked wagner, debussys style of composition had taken its for lack of a better term impressionistic course. Claude debussy music, classical music, classical mp3 download, classical music downloads download music compositions from legal, wellordered mp3 content website. Debussys music adapted to the functions of background music because of its fluidity and nonassertiveness. Debussy composed his first piano piece in 1880 the somewhat innocuous danse bohemienne, but he hardly formed his characteristic style until many years later. The choice of compound triple meter for this movement shows the contrast to the dance movements and helps allow debussy freedom to articulate the music. He was also among the most influential composers of later 19th century and early 20th century. Apr 23, 2007 paul roberts biography of the great french composer claude debussy fits in well with the other composer biographies published by phaidon press. Debussys musical and personal life are discussed in detail without becoming overly pretentious. The music of debussy is given detailed, yet not too technical explanations.
His music was to a considerable extent a reaction against wagner and the german musical tradition. Users can purchase an ebook on diskette or cd, but the most popular method of getting an ebook is to purchase a downloadable file of the ebook or other reading material from a web site such as barnes and. Achilleclaude debussy known as claude debussy was born in 1862 to manuelachille and victorine debussy. It is known that he did not grow up in the best circumstances, and edward lockspeiser writes that. An innately creative individual who was contemptuous of the academicism of such institutions as the paris conservatoire and the academie des beaux. Claude debussy was born on the 22nd august 1862 in saintgermainenlaye, france. Claude debussy 18621918 was a 20thcentury french composer and one of the most prominent figures working within the field of impressionist music.
Claude debussy 18621918 invented the impressionist style of western art music. Debussys orchestral works include prelude a lapresmidi dun faune 1894, nocturnes 18971899 and images 19051912. Claude debussy was born on august 22, 1862 in france. Apr 23, 2008 paul roberts book on the french composer claude debussy is a wellresearched and wellwritten document on this dynamic musical genius. The piano works of claude debussy dover books on music. It is a typical example of his impressionist composition style, impressionism in this case meaning a type of program music which aimed to evoke moods and impressions. Listening to his music is like hearing the auditory component of a unicorns dream about clouds. Similarly, the impressionist style in music is based on a blurring of distinct harmonies, rhythms, and forms bond 498. Roberts provides an inside look into debussys creativity as a composer as well as his life outside of music. Claude debussy s musical style background debussy provided the first real alternative to the music and style of the german romantic wagnerians. According to the terms and condition, he was required to stay at the villa medicis, the french academy in rome, for four years. Claude debussy an overview of the composer and his music. Claude debussy and maurice ravel were the main men of.
This early style is well illustrated in one of debussys bestknown compositions. Debussy provided the first real alternative to the music and style of the german romantic wagnerians. He was among the most influential composers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Debussys works has influenced many new and modern music. Debussy was said to have hated the term impressionistic in reference to his music.
Images usually pronounced in french is a suite of six compositions for solo piano by claude debussy. He wanted to create, he said later, music whose form was so free it would sound improvised. Nov, 2016 claude debussy 18621918 was a french composer of the late romantic period and early modern period. Mar 21, 2020 claude debussy, french composer whose works were a seminal force in the music of the 20th century. He lived a difficult life as a child and seemed to travel often. It is a typical example of his impressionist composition style, impressionism in this case meaning a type of program music which aimed to evoke moods and impressions through tone colour and harmony. For this accomplishment, he is usually considered to be frances greatest composer. The works that emerged during this time reflect both wartime events and the composers selfconscious desire to define his own musical legacy as he felt his. Listen also to pieces by similar composers gershwin and late romantics who have absorbed debussy into their styles. Claude debussy 18621918 is the subject of this fairly brief, but very engaging and wellillustrated biography. Claude debussy was a child prodigy who became one of the most important and influential french composers of all time. Claude debussy one hundred and fifty years after his birth in the paris suburb of saintgermainenlaye, claude debussy remains one of the most significant composers in the history of western music. Claude debussy 18621918 debussy is often categorized as an impressionist composer. Paul roberts biography of the great french composer claude debussy fits in well with the other composer biographies published by phaidon press.
It is the eighth of the composers preludes, book i 19091910. His mature compositions, distinctive and appealing, combined modernism and sensuality so successfully that their sheer. As a background to the opera richard langham smith discusses the play, by the belgian dramatist maeterlinck, and considers its literary roots. It was composed in 1888 and is the third movement of the suite bergamasque. Claude debussy an overview of the classical composer music files. Find claude debussy composition information on allmusic. He failed two piano tests and decided to study composition. This period of composition encompasses the duration of the war and the last four years of debussys life. This designation, which was first applied to painters of the same era, refers to the evoking of a mood using harmony and tone color. Debussy was an influential composer of the late 19 early 20th centuries, creating works of sheer beauty that obscured their technical innovation. In 1894, debussy finished his first important orchestral work prelude a lapresmidi dun faune prelude to the afternoon of a faun.
He is sometimes seen as the first impressionist composer, although he vigorously rejected the term. Unlike some notable collections of preludes from prior times, such as chopins op. What are some good tips for writing a piece of music in the. His father, manule debussy, owned a shop where he sold crockery and china while his mom was a seamstress. It is this style of composition with which debussy is most closely associated, despite the fact that he tended to disavow. Walter morse rummel, piano complete first pub lication. Claudeachille debussy 22 august 1862 25 march 1918 was a french composer. A detailed synopsis by roger nichols, which considers carefully debussys musical response to the text, forms a central chapter. Of course, debussy hated this use of the term for his music. Apr 17, 2019 claude debussy was a child prodigy who became one of the most important and influential french composers of all time. Since i dont know debussys works well, my student and i have found a great companion to this music book to be the following little book which gives information on each of debussys piano pieces and stylistic advice, written by someone who knew debussy well.
Although debussy very much liked wagner, debussys style of composition had taken its for lack of a better term impressionistic course. His most significant contribution to music history is he was the progenitor of the impressionist style, which was a form of music that featured unorthodox textures, dreamlike harmonies, and ethereal melodies. Debussy was the main composer of impressionist music among others. Debussy was a gifted pianist and an intrepid musical explorer. Claude debussy, french composer whose works were a seminal force. He established france as a musical power and opened up western music to nonwestern influences. In 1867, the family moved to paris and a few years later, his mom sought refuge from francoprussian war with claudes aunt in cannes. Mar 18, 2009 5 compositions of claude debussy slideshare uses cookies to improve functionality and performance, and to provide you with relevant advertising. In 1880, tchaikovsky commented on one of debussys early pieces. Claude debussy the prismatic debussy festival 2012. See all 5 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. Claude debussy, in full achilleclaude debussy, born august 22, 1862, saintgermainenlaye, francedied march 25, 1918, paris, french composer whose works were a seminal force in the music of the 20th century.
Claude debussy composer specialty impressionist music born aug. Was claude debussys style of music impressionism or. Roberts is mainly focused on debussys relationships with the people in his life. Claude debussy 22 august 1862 25 march 1918 was one of the most influential composers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries and is regarded as the founder of musical impressionism. He developed a highly original system of harmony and musical structure that expressed in many respects the ideals to which the impressionist and symbolist painters and writers of his time aspired. He developed a highly original system of harmony and musical structure that expressed in many respects the ideals to which the impressionist and symbolist painters and writers.
He didnt set out to write impressionist music as weve established, he hated that comparison rather, he was just interested in pushing boundaries and exploring new sounds. Several of them look ahead to debussys later style, in which the composers earlier impressionistic, almost romantic poetry was supplanted by a greater concentration upon technique and neoclassical objectivity. David grayson then traces the genesis and composition of the opera. Claude debussy biography facts, childhood, family life. He shows a move away from impressionism and toward a. The works in debussys second book of preludes 191019 are similar in intent to those of book i 19071910. If you continue browsing the site, you agree to the use of cookies on this website. It is this style of composition with which debussy is most closely associated, despite the fact that he tended to disavow the label. The french composer claude debussy was born in 1862, the oldest out of five children. Inspired by a pastoral poem of mallarme, it is one of debussys most sensuous and evocative orchestral works, lending itself perfectly to ballet. He would continue discovering new music, styles, books, and poems. What are some good tips for writing a piece of music in. Play lots of other music by debussy himself the entire suite bergamesque is quite accessible.
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