Claude Debussy
Founder of musical Impressionism
Most quoted
"I am trying to achieve something new – realities, as it were, what imbeciles call 'impressionism,' a term which is as ill-applied as possible, particularly by art critics who do not hesitate to apply it to Turner, the finest creator of mysterious effects in the whole world of art."
— from Letter to Jacques Durand, 1908
"The sound of the sea, the curve of the horizon, the wind in the leaves, the cry of a bird, these stir within us a multitude of impressions. And suddenly, without any previous agreement, one of these memories rises to the surface and expresses itself in the language of music."
— from Various interviews and letters
"The sound of the sea, the curve of a horizon, wind in leaves, the cry of a bird leave manifold impressions in us. And suddenly, without our wishing it at all, one of these memories spills from us and finds expression in musical language."
— from 'Monsieur Croche the Dilettante Hater', 1913
All quotes by Claude Debussy (297)
Innovation in music comes from listening to nature.
My music is impressionist, like Monet's paintings.
Life without music is like a colorblind world.
The conductor is the poet of the orchestra.
I compose to capture fleeting moments.
Humor in music lightens the soul.
The essence of music is emotion.
Paris inspires my melodies.
True art is timeless.
Melody is the soul of music.
I live for the sounds that move me.
Criticism is the shadow of praise.
Music heals the wounds of the soul.
The night sky is my muse.
Composition is creation from within.
Joy comes from simple harmonies.
The flute is the voice of the wind.
Dreams fuel my compositions.
Music is the art of thinking with sounds.
In the end, all that matters is the emotion evoked.
Contemporaries of Claude Debussy
Other Musics born within 50 years of Claude Debussy (1862–1918).