Claude Debussy, though considered the ultimate Impressionist by posterity, preferred to be associated with the Symbolists.
Compositional Technique
Only one of Debussy's 24 Préludes, "Les tierces alternées," lacks an extra-musical title, sounding instead like an etude.
Composer Biography
Debussy, despite calling himself a "musicien français," drew inspiration from diverse sources, including Russia, where he was a private musician for Tchaikovsky's patroness, Nadezhda von Meck.
Compositional Technique
Debussy was a major innovator in piano music, exploring its tonal potential and opening up a new world of 'impressionistic piano' that others before him had not.
Compositional Technique
Debussy's Préludes, though titled neutrally, each bear a programmatic title, which he placed in small print after the piece to avoid overly literal interpretations.
