The Life of Debussy (Musical Lives) (Paperback)

by Roger Nichols (Author) "To understand something of the France into which Achille-Claude Debussy was born on 22 August 1862, we need to go back a few years-say, to..." (more)
Key Phrases: damoiselle elue, revue blanche, Prix de Rome, Chansons de Bilitis, Pierre Louĸs (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
'A short but searching new biography of Debussy by Roger Nichols is one of an admirable CUP series 'Musical Lives', authoritative texts aimed at a broader intelligent readership. That Nichols's far from superficial study is most stylishly written and approachable goes without saying, and indeed its very concision brings significant aspects of Debussy's life and work into sharper focus.' Musical Times

'Roger Nichols has absorbed this greatly expanded range of information and by skilful selection compressed it into less than 170 pages of text.' Times Literary Supplement

'The volume is written with a cool delicacy and precision apt to its subject.' The Times Higher Education Supplement

'The most revealing and engagingly written single-volume biography of Claude Debussy, by the doyen of French music experts.' Classic FM Magazine

Product Description
The early music of Claude Debussy was influenced by the work of Wagner, for whom he had great admiration. However, soon Debussy's music became more experimental and individualistic, as is clear in his first mature work Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun. Debussy quickly moved away from traditional techniques and produced the pictures in sound that led his work to be described as "musical Impressionism." This new biography--the first in English in 30 years--offers new insights into the life of this enigmatic composer, revealing a figure more seminal and revolutionary than previously thought.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 196 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (April 28, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521578876
• ISBN-13: 978-0521578875
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #629,387 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Depressed Composer, June 29, 2000

By	sherri bauer (lone tree, co USA) - See all my reviews

C. Debussy seems to have led a tortured and beleaguered life. His ideas regarding music were in conflict with the French music establishment. This created problems for him both professionally and personally. Financially, he struggled all of his life. Coming from rather humble beginnings, C. Debussy had a particular vision of music early in his career. He was blunt and identified with the impressionistic painters as well as the symbolist poets. These artists were to become popular much later. Debussy died young at the age of 55 of cancer. This biography is a little choppy in it writing style, but it does offer many examples of his ideas on many subjects.

1 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Too Concise, Dry and Dull, October 19, 2003

By	L. Young "palmtree2000" (West Orange, NJ USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is unfortunately, a 'too' concise biography of Debussy which never really gives a sense of what the man was like, or the impact of his music on the twentieth century. A disappointment after a good experience with another book in the Cambridge music series.

2 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars too short for such a major musical figure, January 13, 2001

By	Benjamin C Good (Lancaster, PA USA) - See all my reviews

It is unfortunate that there is not more available on Debussy in English. This book, at only 167 pages (including pictures) hardly does him justice. Because it is so short, the book jumps from topic to topic at an alarming pace, hardly giving any details. The author's convoluted writing style does not help matters either. Unlike many other musical (or otherwise) biographies I've read, this one did not leave me satisfied. Hopefully the out-of-print book department will have something more complete on Debussy.