Achille-Claude Debussy was one of the most renowned French composers who stimulated 20th century music. Debussy's life experiences gave an emotional and relevant truth to his work. Works such as Clair de Lune, Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun and La Mer are Debussy's greatest achievements best known today. Debussy is worth examining because he uniquely structured his compositions that served as a foundation for musicians of the past and will easily continue to motivate musical masterpieces for years to come. Claude Debussy (born Achille-Claude Debussy) was born on August 22, 1862, in St-Germain-en-Laye France. He showed a talent for the piano at the age of 9. Debussy was one of 5 children. Debussy did not come from a wealthy family. His parents owned a small store. At the age of 11, he entered the Conservatoire des Paires. At the Conservatoire Debussy studied piano and composition. There, he also studied theory with Alfred Lavignac, piano with Antoine Marmontel, harmony with Émile Durand and harmonic composition with Ernest Guiraud. Around 1880, a wealthy woman named Nadezhda Filaretovna von Meck, who was a student of Frédéric Chopin and supported Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, hired Debussy to teach her children. During the summer holidays at the Conservatory, he traveled with Nadejda. He learned more about Russian music and culture, which would later be reflected in his work. During his stay in Paris, he fell in love with Blanche Vasnier, who inspired his works in the early years. In 1884, Debussy won the Grand Prix de Rome with his cantata L'Enfant prodigue. Debussy became a cautious and difficult man who preferred cats to humans. He didn't really have many friends or confidants. In 1887, Debussy li...... middle of paper ...... and end. Debussy began to draw inspiration from Mussorgsky. In 1889, he heard the Javanese Gamelan orchestra. Hearing this exotic music from the orchestra, he later applied it to some of his works. He was also inspired by poems, songs and other composers, such as the poem of Stéphane Mallermé, the song of Mary Gardens and the compositions of Louis Bourgault-Ducoudray. Debussy's achievements and works were composed from his own life experiences. The emotional ambience of his pieces also gives the everyday ear something to connect with. This connection with his audience and his compositions gives him importance. Debussy's achievements and success through works such as Clair de Lune, Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun and La Mer attribute his importance to him. Many people can relate to certain aspects of Debussy's life and his work opens a window into past experience through music for all..