Claude Debussy As I Knew Him

Summary

Introduction

My first purpose in writing about this extraordinary artist and creator is to show the man as I knew him, regardless of how he appeared to others. My next reason is that for some years past, I have been urged by friends to record my experiences. They reminded me that I too shall pass and that my anecdotes (which with good wine and among the right kind of listeners, I would pour forth, together with imitations of voice and gestures) would otherwise vanish with me. Added to all this, it deserves passing mention that some of the Debussy biographers did not have the privilege of a friendship, let alone an intimacy, with him, and in one case, the biographer had never once seen or met Claude Debussy.

In order to show what steps finally led me to his door and to a friendship of unmatchable beauty and integrity, from the first day of our meeting to that of his deeply lamented passing, it will be necessary for me to become autobiographical for a brief time. I shall have to speak of my years of residence in Berlin (after the turn of this century) when Germany had her “Glanzperiode” [Golden Age], when she stood at the apex of her cultural and cosmopolitan achievements. In view of present world conditions, it must not be thought I am writing with personal hatred and prejudice, for what immediately follows is largely taken from my Memoir on Claude Debussy which appeared (in the Musical Courier of 23 May 1918) scarcely two months after the demise of the great poet and which, I am pleased to say, was carefully preserved and utilized in parts by subsequent writers of Debussy biographies.

Music and Maps

Every intelligent person, including the present-day enemies of Germany, will readily acknowledge that country's imperishable gift to mankind in the music which German composers bestowed on all humanity, and I am certain that every living musician, of all nationalities, races, and colors, would gratefully endorse this. As for me, being neither politician nor even a diplomat, I must briefly state my Credo, and it is that MUSIC is God's greatest benefaction, next to the sun! All Art is universal and is removed from racial, political, or national boundaries, considerations, and prejudices, and in that sense the artist too belongs to the world and not to any one people or nation.