1. Claude Debussy

2. Claude Debussy French composer born on August 22, 1862
His father owned a china shop and his mother was a seamstress
Died March 25, 1918

3. Debussy’s Music
Debussy began piano lessons when he was seven years old
He was a brilliant pianist and an outstanding sight reader
His music showed the transition from late-Romantic music to twentieth century modernist music

4. Debussy’s Music
His work Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune (Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun), was original in form and execution.
In contrast to the large orchestras popular in the late 1800s, Debussy wrote this piece for a smaller ensemble, emphasizing instrumental color and timbre (tone quality)
This piece features the flute.

5. Debussy’s Music
His work La Mer ("The Sea" in French) is an orchestral composition
He began writing it in 1903 and finished in 1905.
Has been described as "musical onomatopoeia"
The 1st movement is called "De l'aube à midi sur la mer" ("From dawn to noon on the sea")

6. Analyzing Debussy’s Music
While listening to La Mer, draw a picture of what you think "The Sea" looks like as depicted in Debussy's music.