Claude Debussy

Paris Conservatoire

Paris Conservatoire

Paris Conservatoire

In October 1872, after studying with Madame Mauté for one year, Claude Debussy secured admission into Paris Conservatoire. Remaining there for next eleven years, he began by studying piano with Antoine Marmontel thrice a week. Concurrently, he also joined Albert Lavignac's solfeggio classes.

Initially Claude Debussy behaved eccentrically, always coming late to the piano classes. But within one year, Marmontel was able to bring him under control. On 13 January 1874, he wrote on his pupil’s report card, “Charming child, true temperament of an artist; will become a distinguished musician; a great future.”

On 16 January 1876, Debussy made his first public appearance, accompanying singer Léontine Mendès at a concert, organized by the local industry's brass band at Chauny (Aisne). He must have made good impact because we find him attending a second concert on 18 March at the same place.

In June 1876, he was awarded the first medal in solfeggio. Although he had been receiving honorable mentions in piano examinations, he had to wait until July 23, 1877 to receive his first medal, a second prize, in piano. Thereafter on 27 November 1877, he entered Émile Durand's harmony class.

As assed by Durand on June 1879, he was “Extremely gifted in harmony, but desperately careless” and therefore, prizes continued to evade him. Yet, he remained in good books with his teachers.

Also in 1879, Marmontel secured him a summer placement with Marguerite Wilson-Pelouze, an ardent admirer of Flaubert’s writings and Wagner’s composition. While staying with her at Château of Chenonceaux in the Loire Valley, young Debussy decided to become a composer rather than a pianist, which was his ambition till then.

According to the rules, one had to earn a first prize in one of the officially recognized theory classes in order to gain entry in the composition class. Consequently, on his return to the Conservatoire, Debussy entered Auguste Bazille's accompaniment classes in October 1879.

On earning the first prize in June 1880, he entered Ernest Guiraud's composition class in December. Meanwhile in July, Marmontel secured him another summer placement, this time with Mme. Nadezhda von Meck. With her, he visited places like Interlaken, Arcachon, Nice, Genoa, Naples and Florence, thus widening his horizon.

While continuing his studies with different masters at the Conservatoire, Debussy continued his association with von Meck, traveling with her to Russia in 1881 and 1882. Meanwhile, he started giving private lessons and composed number of songs, many of them for Marie-Blanche Vasnier, with whom he had fallen in love.

Who was Claude Debussy?

Who was Claude Debussy?

Who was Claude Debussy?

Claude Debussy was a remarkable French composer and one of the most leading figures associated with the domain of impressionist music along with Maurice Ravel. His marvelous contribution to the art of music won him the status of Chevalier of the ‘Legion of Honour’ in 1903. He dramatically disregarded the traditional chord structures and tonality and pioneered in penetrating into the modern era in Western music. His musical attributes echo sensory components not composed over one key or pitch and his compositions are sans any specific tempo or rhythm. He was triggered by the prevailing musical movement of ‘symbolism’ and his compositions fit into the impressionist genre of classical music akin to those of the visual art movements. Debussy’s works are an expression of the happenings and turmoil in his lifetime. His long unsuccessful affairs with several women kept him disturbed most of the times, mirrored in his works. His greatest works such as the revolutionary ‘Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune’ and ‘Pelléas et Mélisande’ and many others had an enduring influence on almost every major composer of the 20th century.