Claude Debussy (22 August 1862 – 25 March 1918) was a French composer. He was seen, during his lifetime and afterwards, as the first Impressionist composer, although he vigorously rejected the term. He was among the most influential composers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born to a family of modest means, he was admitted at the age of 10 to France's leading music college, the Conservatoire de Paris. He originally studied the piano, but found his vocation in innovative composition, despite the disapproval of the Conservatoire's conservative professors. He took many years to develop his mature style, and was nearly 40 before achieving international fame in 1902 with the only opera he completed, Pelléas et Mélisande. Debussy developed his own style in the use of harmony and orchestral colouring. His works have strongly influenced a wide range of composers, including Béla Bartók, Olivier Messiaen, George Benjamin and the jazz pianist and composer Bill Evans.
Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claude_Debussy
_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:
1864:
Under the leadership of Henry Durant and the International Red Cross Committee, twelve European nations signed the First Geneva Convention (signing pictured), establishing the rules for protection of the victims of armed conflicts. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Geneva_Convention
1910:
Japan annexed Korea with the signing of the Japan–Korea Annexation Treaty, beginning a period of Japanese rule of Korea that lasted until the end of World War II. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan%E2%80%93Korea_Treaty_of_1910
1985:
A fire broke out on British Airtours Flight 28M, causing 55 deaths mostly due to smoke inhalation and bringing about changes to make aircraft evacuation more effective. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Airtours_Flight_28M
2012:
A series of ethnic clashes between the Orma and Pokomo tribes of Kenya's Tana River District resulted in the deaths of at least 52 people. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012%E2%80%9313_Tana_River_District_clashes
_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:
runway: 1. A defined, usually paved, section of land for airplanes to land on or take off from. 2. A narrow walkway (often on a platform) extending from a stage on which people walk, especially one used by models during fashion shows. 3. The usual path taken by deer or other wild animals, such as from a forest to a water source. 4. A stream bed. 5. (athletics) In javelin, long jump, and similar events: a short track along which athletes can accelerate themselves for their jumps or throws. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/runway
___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:
And what, you ask, does writing teach us? First and foremost, it reminds us that we are alive and that it is gift and a privilege, not a right. We must earn life once it has been awarded us. Life asks for rewards back because it has favored us with animation. So while our art cannot, as we wish it could, save us from wars, privation, envy, greed, old age, or death, it can revitalize us amidst it all. --Ray Bradbury https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Ray_Bradbury