CLAUDE DEBUSSY is known to young people particularly for his exquisite Children's Corner for piano. But such orchestral masterpieces as La Mer, L'Après midi d'un faun, Nocturnes, Images, the opera Pelléas et Mélisande, the many songs and piano preludes have long cast their spell over young and old alike.

Debussy's life-story, however, is not quite so well known as his music, or as the life-stories of so many other masters of music. Born into a small, obscure family, his father had intended that this son should become a sailor. But the interest taken by influential friends diverted the young Achille-Claude to a musical career.

After many years of study, work, and bitter academic opposition, Debussy ultimately became one of France's greatest composers. It was the famous Italian poet, Gabriele d'Annunzio, who gave Debussy his name of honor, "Claude of France," in tribute to the composer's place of glory in French culture.

The fascinating story of "Claude of France" is here told to young people for the first time, in a biography that has dramatic impact from the first chapter to the last. The author, who was among the first in America to become interested in Debussy's music, has written his book with a keen insight into the struggles and hopes, the frustrations and eventual triumphs, of the creator of modern French music.

In telling the story of Debussy, Mr. Harvey has also recreated the France of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, as only he can who knows the country intimately and loves it dearly.

Maggie Teyte, one of the greatest living interpreters of Debussy's songs, writes: "Many things have been said and written about Claude Debussy, but I doubt if anyone will ever pen a more interesting and charming study....of this fascinating character."

Each chapter is charmingly illustrated by Salcia Bahnc. Valuable appendices provide a complete list of Debussy's works and recommended Debussy recordings. 

From the dust jacket