Claude Debussy

Question 1

Information About Him (10)

Answer 1

• (1862-1918)
• born in St-Germaine-en-Laye, France
• father owned a china shop
• studied at the Paris Conservatory where he received awards and gold medals
• won the Prix de Rome
• worked as a pianist, conductor, teacher, music critic, and composer
• finally married Emma Bardac and had a daughter named Claude Emma
• was a piano teacher for Tchaikovsky’s patron
• became famous through his orchestral writing and opera
• died of cancer in 1918

Question 2

His Style and Contributions (13)

Answer 2

• influenced by impressionist painters and symbolist poems
• used a variety of scales, including whole-tone, pentatonic, and modal
• used parallel fifths and octaves
• used chords based on fourths instead of thirds
• used a variety of rhythms
• symphonic poem: Prélude ä l’après d’un faune
• suites: La mer, Images, Nocturnes
• piano: Suite bergamesque, Pour le piano, Estampes, Images, Préludes, Études, Children’s Corner
• French art songs: Beau Soir, Mandoline
• song cycle: Chansons de Bilitis
• opera: Pélléas et Mélisande
• ballet: Jeut
• chamber music: string quartet; sonatas for violin, piano and cello, and piano

Question 3

Important Work: Prélude ä l’après d’un faune (17)

Answer 3

• symphonic poem
• based on a poem by Mallarmé
• in a loose ABA form (ternary)
• uses an orchestra including antique cymbals
• in 9/8 time
• moderate tempo
• has 4 sharps (but doesn’t really stay in a key)
• Section A:
• opening melody played by flute, descends chromatically from C-sharp to G, outlining a triton
• fluid, rhythmic approach
• Section B:
• 2 new themes introduced by woodwinds
• clarinets trace rapid whole-tone scales
• strings often move in parallel motion
• Return of Section A:
• opening theme is modified using longer note values (augmentation)
• antique cymbals used in the final section