Claude Debussy
         Impressions in Black and White

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Claude Debussy was born into a poor family in France, but his obvious gift at the piano sent him to the Paris Conservatory at age 11. At age 22, he won the Prix de Rome, which financed two years of further musical study in the Italian capital. After the turn of the century, Debussy established himself as the leading figure of French music. During World War I, while Paris was being bombed by the German air force, he succumbed to colon cancer at the age of 55. His second wife understood the artist and his peculiarities like no other and was the joy of is later years. His music and his life are performed by the young French pianist Yannael Quenel who has dedicated his studies to the works of Ravel and Debussy.