Today Google honoured one of my favourite composer of all time, Achille-Claude Debussy or just Debussy to most of us. It's one of their nicest doodle yet, featuring one of Debussy's best known pieces, Clair de lune (Moonlight).
Doodle creator: Leon Hong
Born into a poor family in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France on 22 August 1862, Debussy is the eldest of five children. He began piano lessons at the age of seven, which was paid for by his aunt. In 1872, at the age of ten, he entered the Conservatoire de Paris, then one of the biggest and most prestigious music college in Europe. He spent 11 years there. In 1884, he won the Prix de Rome for music, and went on to study in Rome. Winning the Prix is quite a feat itself, considering the many talented individuals who vie for it. Imagine, Degas, the guy who painted all those ballerinas, failed to win the Prix.
Debussy's private life is rather scandalous. After courting a string of women, he finally settled down in 1899 with Rosalie Texier, a fashion model and also a friend of his former long-term companion. In 1904, he courted a married woman, Emma Bardac and fled with her to England in 1905. They had a daughter, Claude-Emma, more affectionately known as 'Chouchou', for whom he composed his Children's Corner suite. Debussy died of rectal cancer at his Paris home on 25 March 1918. Tragically, his daughter died the following year, barely a year after him.
Today is the 151st anniversary of his birthday. Without a doubt, Debussy is one of the most prominent figure linked to Impressionist music. Have a listen to Clair de lune from his Suite bergamasque and Golliwogg's Cakewalk from his Children's Corner Suite. Savour the brilliance!
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