Known for his innovative and evocative style, Claude Debussy (1862 - 1918) practically coined the title of Impressionist composer - although he vehemently rejected it. Among the most influential composers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Debussy's use of free harmony and structure made him one of the best to ever evoke atmosphere and imagery through music.
Debussy was born in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France, the son of a small business owner and seamstress, and displayed a keen sense for music from an early age. His parents enrolled him at the Paris Conservatoire at the tender age of ten, where he started rebelling against conventional approaches to music, even as a child; but, despite his rebellious streak, Debussy was an excellent student. His student years in Paris proved to shape his distinct music style.
Despite being granted the chance to continue his studies at the Villa Medici in Rome, the young Debussy was far too discontented with the confines of academia. So, instead, he moved back to Paris, where he drew from the city's bustling cultural life, the visual arts, and non-Western music to compose his breakthrough work, 'Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune', in 1894. This piece marked Debussy's first venture into innovative harmony and texture usage.
The next decades of Debussy's career were marked by the debut of some of his most enduring works; with the opera 'Pelléas et Mélisande' he displayed his approach to musical storytelling and orchestration, and orchestral masterpiece 'La Mer' and piano suite 'Suite bergamasque' cemented his reputation as a true painter of sound, with an unmatched ability to use harmony, tone color, and structure like no other before him. His trailblazing status made him a celebrity among his peers, as he became a central figure in the transition from Romanticism to modernism in music.
The First World War wrecked havok in Debussy's life, not made easier by ammounting health struggles. Still, he continued to compose, most significantly 'Études'. His later works reflect the color drained from his life, too; they are less lush, more economical, and curt. Debussy passed away at the age of 55 in the final years of the war, leaving behind an unfathomably rich legacy that would reshape the trajectory of music in the ensuing century.
Available Now
Enjoy a moving performance of Debussy’s original work by the legendary pianist Menahem Pressler.
Available Now
Debussy conjures an ethereal soundscape that blurs the boundaries between reality and imagination.
Available Now
A set of six pieces originally composed for piano in 1914 inspired by prose poems Chansons de Bilitis.
Symphony.live is a video streaming platform committed to uniting the world’s orchestras. We believe in demystifying the wonderful world of classical music, striving to make it more approachable for diverse audiences through innovative viewing experiences. Our growing family of orchestras and their stories are at the forefront of everything we do. We curate a diverse array of concerts, playlists, in-depth explorations, and more. Our family of orchestras includes The Cleveland Orchestra, Budapest Festival Orchestra, Czech Philharmonic, Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich, Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, and others. This is your chance to get closer than ever to the music you love!
For a 7-day free trial, curious users can try Symphony.live for free. During these 7 days, you can enjoy all of our content in full - and with no strings attached. During the trial period, it’s up to you to decide whether you want to join us or not, so feel free to cancel at any time. There are two types of subscriptions we offer: monthly ($6,99/month) and annual ($49,99/year).
Note: prices may vary per country.
With Symphony.live, you can watch anywhere, anytime. As well as accessing online through Symphony.live, you can take your favorite concert experiences with you wherever you go, thanks to our mobile apps for iOS and Android.
You can also watch directly on your television via Roku, Android TV, Google TV, Apple TV, Amazon FireTV, and on recent Samsung and LG TV sets.
Currently, we are available in the following locations:
(Europe:) Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom;
(Americas:) Brazil, Canada, Mexico, United States of America;
(Asia-Pacific:) Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea;
Note: more platforms and regions will be added soon.
We would like to think there is something for everyone at Symphony.live. Whether you're a history buff looking to explore some of history's greatest musical minds, a connoisseur of the concert hall looking for your favorite performance, or simply looking to throw some relaxing classical music on in the background while you work, we’ve got you covered. From exclusive concert performances to deep-dive documentaries and our very own Close Up series, we ensure the classical music fan never runs out of content to watch. Plus, our hard-working team of experts regularly curates hand-picked playlists for every mood you won’t find anywhere else. Whether you’re in the mood for Vivaldi or Zimmer, you will never get bored; we are constantly revamping our collection with new music!
We understand the importance of experiencing classical music in mint condition. To help with your immersive experience, we always strive to provide you with the highest quality possible. We also have a selection of 5.1 digital surround sound available. Moreover, through our Wolfgang collaboration, select concert videos come with captions, enriching your viewing experience by providing a deeper understanding of the beautiful music on your screen.
You can stream Symphony.live on two devices simultaneously.
You can cancel at any time, directly from your profile page on the Symphony.live website.
If you need support about your account, billing details, or encounter problems, please go to our help & support section or send a mail to support@symphony.live