Claude Achille Debussy
(1862 - 1918) France
Composer
 Born at Saint Germain-en-Laye, he studied in Paris, and won the Grand prix de Rome with his cantata L'Enfant prodigue (1884). After studying in Rome, he returned to Paris and won fame with his Prélude à l'après midi d'un faune (1894). His opera Pélleas et Mélisande was first performed in 1902. He wrote orchestral music and numerous piano pieces, chember music, ballets, songs, etc. His style reflects impressionists paintings and poetry in orchestral colour. La Mer is a vivid description of moods of the sea.
For his rejection of classical diatonic harmony he is often considered the first of the modern composers. His worldwide best known pieces are Iberia, La Mer, and Clair de lune.
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