Claude Debussy

Claude Debussy (1862–1918) was a French composer and is regarded as a leading figure in Impressionist music, though he is also well known for his dislike of the term "Impressionism." His music transcended traditional frameworks of form and tonality, seeking new sounds and modes of expression.

Debussyʼs works reflect influences from French Symbolist literature and Eastern cultures, particularly Japanese ukiyo-e art and gamelan music. His famous works include the orchestral piece *Prélude à lʼaprès-midi dʼun faune* (1894), *La Mer* (1905), and piano suites such as *Suite bergamasque* (1890) and *Préludes* (1910, 1913).

In his music, harmony is liberated from traditional functional tonality, frequently employing parallel chords and whole-tone scales. This creates a diminished sense of clear tonality, resulting in dreamy and poetic soundscapes. His rhythmic sense is fluid, often blurring the perception of time.

Debussyʼs innovative style greatly influenced later modern music. His works blend sensual beauty with deep poetic expression, giving him a distinct presence within classical music. Though his health declined in his later years, leading to his death during World War I in 1918, his compositions continue to be cherished by many.

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