Claude Debussy (1862-1918) stands as one of the most influential and innovative composers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, contributing significantly to the Impressionist movement in music. Born on August 22, 1862, in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France, Debussy demonstrated an early aptitude for music. At the age of seven, he began studying piano at the Paris Conservatoire, where he would later become a student of prominent composers like Ernest Guiraud and Émile Durand.
Debussy's early exposure to the works of Richard Wagner and the Russian composers, particularly Modest Mussorgsky, left a lasting impression on him, fueling his desire to explore new harmonic possibilities and break away from traditional musical forms. Despite his avant-garde inclinations, Debussy faced initial resistance from the conservative Parisian musical establishment.