10 Interesting Claude Debussy Facts

Claude Debussy facts are the collections of information about one of the greatest composers. There are still few people who recognize about him. The aim is to make any people gaining good information about him. So, let’s discuss further about it.

Claude Debussy Facts 1: France

The first basic fact of Claude Debussy is his birthplace. He was born in France on 22 August 1862. The birthplace is Saint-Germain-en-Laye. It is somewhere near to Paris actually. He has 4 siblings. He is the eldest among others.

Claude Debussy Facts 2: playing piano

Debussy was famous as composer and piano player. He started his first lesson in playing the instrument in the age of 7. He had no musician blood from his family. The father was a China shop owner. The mother was a seamstress.

Claude Debussy and Lily

Claude Debussy Facts 3: Paris Conservatoire

He started his study at Paris Conservatoire. It was in the age of 10 years old. Next 11 years, he studied composition along with Cesar Frank and Emile Durand. He gave up his dream to become virtuoso. The reason is because he failed in winning Premier Prix.

Claude Debussy Facts 4: Tchaikovsky

He had good relationship with Tchaikovsky. There was a friend who sent a piece of art of Debussy to Tchaikovsky. Yet, it failed to gain profit. The work was lack of unity, having no full idea representation, and shriveled.

Claude Debussy Painting

Claude Debussy Facts 6: prix de rome

He once won prix de rome composition contest. The piece winning the contest was L’efant Prodigue. This had made him obtaining scholarship to Académie des Beaux-Arts in the Villa Medici. He was unhappy there because he couldn’t compose any piece at all.

Claude Debussy Photo

Claude Debussy Facts 7: Suite Bergamasque

Suite Bergamasque was one of his famous piano suites. It was published in 1905 although it was written in 1890.

Claude Debussy Facts 8:  James Abbott McNeill Whistler

The impressionism painter James Abbot had inspired Debussy to create his famous piece. It was Nocturnes. It consists of 4 movements such as Clouds, Festivals, and also Sirens.

Claude Debussy

Claude Debussy Facts 9: the Opera

Debussy only conducted his opera once. It was Pelléas et Mélisande. It was in Paris in April 1902. Many people have noticed about it.

Claude Debussy Facts 10: Emma Bardac

Debussy had an affair to Emma Bardac. This made his marriage with Rosalie Texier became troublesome.

Debussy 1893

The facts about Claude Debussy above I think are sufficient to start knowing about him. He was a great composer. Yet, his life seems more fruitful than you think.