Claude Debussy (1862-1918) was a French composer most famous for his piano and orchestral music. Works like Clair de Lune have become piano standards while La Mer, with its unusual use of instruments and impressionistic use of waves of sounds instead of melodies, broke the mould of convention and ushered in the innovative music of modernism in the 20th century.
More about: Claude DebussyServer Costs Fundraiser 2024
Help our mission to provide free history education to the world! Please donate and contribute to covering our server costs in 2024. With your support, millions of people learn about history entirely for free every month.
$3926 / $18000
Definition
Timeline
-
1862 - 1918Life of the French composer Claude Debussy.
-
22 Aug 1862The composer Claude Debussy is born in St Germain-en-Laye.
-
Oct 1872Claude Debussy enters the Paris Conservatoire.
-
1884Claude Debussy wins the Prix de Rome for his L’enfant prodigue cantata.
-
1890Claude Debussy completes his Suite bergamasque, which includes Clair de Lune.
-
1893Claude Debussy completes his String Quartet in G minor.
-
1894Claude Debussy completes his symphonic poem Prélude à L'après-midi d’un faune.
-
1899Claude Debussy completes his Nocturnes, an orchestral triptych.
-
Oct 1899Claude Debussy marries the artist’s model Rosalie (Lily) Texier.
-
Apr 1902Claude Debussy's opera Pelléas et Mélisande premieres in Paris’ Opera-Comique.
-
1905Claude Debussy completes his symphonic sketch La Mer (The Sea).
-
Oct 1905Claude Debussy's daughter Claude-Emma, aka Chouchou, is born.
-
20 Jan 1908The composer Claude Debussy marries Emma Bardac.
-
1911Claude Debussy completes his ballet Khamma.
-
1913Claude Debussy completes his ballet Jeux.
-
25 Mar 1918The composer Claude Debussy dies in Paris of cancer.
