Claude Debussy

Named Achille-Claude Debussy at his birth in August 22, 1962 in France, Debussy is one of the moat prominent musicians associated with impressionist music. Debussy's use of non-traditional scales and chromaticism influenced many later composers. His music is full of sensory content and frequently denies tonality.
In 1872 at the age of ten Debussy studied at the Paris Conservatoire. Debussy was always experimental and argumentative. He challenged the rigid music philosophies of the Academy.1884 Debussy won the Prix de Rom with his piece L'enfant prodigue. His scholarship included a four-year residence at the villa Medici to further his music studies. He had a difficult time composing here because of boredom and the stifling artistic atmosphere. From 1887 to 1888 Debussy composed Zeleima, Printemps,La demoiselle elue and Fantaisie. His pieces were termed as weird and he was censored for using the unusual in his compositions.
Debussy's personal life was difficult. He had an eight year affair with Marie-Banche Vasnier who was a married women. He had relationships with Gabrielle Dupont and Therese Roger. His behavior was condemned and ended a nice friendship with Ernest Chausson. Debussy then married Rosalie Texier in 1899 but turned to Emma Bardac, another married women in 1905. His wife attempted suicide and Debussy was again censored for his lack of morals.
August 1905 found Debussy correcting the proofs to La mer. Bardac and Debussy returned to Paris where their daughter was born. They married in 1908 and the marriage lasted until Debussy's death in 1918. The beginning of the 1890s found Debussy developing his own musical vernacular. He chose to write a smaller forms. The Deux arabesqus is one of Debussy's earlier works and contains Debussy's most popular piece, Clair de Lune.
1899 the three Nocturnes were written. Pelleas et Melisande, Debussy's only opera, was performed in 1902 and proved to be immensely popular. In 1901 he wrote Pour le piano which uses textures later used in jazz music. 1910 brought out Preludes (12) that were Debussy's most honored compositions for piano. Iberia in 1907 was a piece for two pianos written as a medley of Spanish allusions.
Debussy continued to compose and he was attempting to write more operas when he fell ill. The beginning of WWI also contributed to Debussy's lack of motivation and failure to finish his pieces. He died on March 25, 1918 at the age of 55.