Claude-Achille Debussy was born on August 22 1862 (Lockspeiser 1978:6). At the age of ten, Debussy entered the Paris Conservatoire (Lockspeiser). He continued his stay at the school for eleven years. The first time Debussy was introduced to Wagner’s scores and music was by Lavignac, a teacher of harmony at the conservatoire. Of course Debussy was unaware of the impact that Wagner would have on his music with regards to his stylistic, instrumental, orchestral, melodic and harmonic approach (Lockspeiser 1936:9). Claude-Achille Debussy was not seen as an impressive student, they regarded him as “second rate”. However, he was still loyally a follower and disciple of piano teacher and composer from the conservatoire, Jules Massenet. Debussy struggled …show more content…
Many works were composed such as a set of songs “Clinq Poemes de Boudelaire”. Wagnerian idiom comes through prominently when listening to the set especially number one, “Deux Arabesques”. Other Wagnerian influences are exhibited in the harmonic chromaticism as well as a high level of romanticism. This work is one of Debussy’s earlier works and already Wagner’s influence is seen, yet not on a large scale. Debussy’s vocal and piano works did not largely include influences from Wagner, rather his orchestral works. More specifically “Prelude a l’Apres-midi d’un faune” contains some of the largest influences of Wagner but not it’s’ romantic idiom. In this prelude it is clear that Debussy has moved towards an impressionist style that expands the tonal centre, instead of being trapped in Wagnerian romanticism. The Wagnerian influence is prominent in the instruments used, using large orchestras, creative timbres and wide instrumentations. One characteristic that Wagner himself used too was the growing of instruments (Deri 1968:160). The texture created is rich and full and Debussy succeeded in doing so. Other composers that also enjoyed using the same timbre’s that Debussy used is Maurice Ravel and Frederick Delius. Debussy continued to use the orchestral idiom for his remaining life. Other orchestral compositions also exhibit expansive orchestras we “La Mer”,