Debussy was a composer born in France in 1862. He was a serious, thoughtful child, and showed interest in music at an early age. Here are some things to know about Debussy:
He was a composer during the Impressionistic Era.
He created music to please his own ears, not for others.
His compositions painted beautiful pictures in sound.
Debussy preferred to experiment on the piano, rather than practice, upsetting some of his teachers.
Some of his well-known piano works include Clair de Lune and Goliwog's Cakewalk.
Debussy composed Golliwog's Cakewalk for his daughter, Emma.
Debussy died in 1918 during a bombardment of Paris, though he didn't die from the bomb; he died of cancer.
Debussy was born during a time when musicians were searching for a new musical style. Debussy is credited with the founding of the new style, Impressionism. In art, artists did not try to give a clear, exact picture; rather they give an idea or allusion of the idea. Composers, such as Debussy, did the same with their melodies. They used soft, colorful tones to create vague outlines of melody and rhythm.