CLAUDE DEBUSSY By Leon Vallas
" In this book on Claude Debussy," declares M. Vallas, " have avoided all biographical details the publication of which might be deemed premature and indiscreet. The secrets of his private life belong to those who shared it and who bear his name." This sounded promising ; evidently we were to have, for once, a biography uncluttered with masses of irre- levant personal detail ; it would be a treat to read. But disillusion followed quickly, and when it is all over one is left guessing at the purpose which inspired it. There are several ways of writing about Debussy. One is to produce an original critique, of his: music as a whole, its roots and its influence, illustrated by particular examples. Another is in some degree td shoiv the relation between the man and his work, in which case the character of the man, his environment and his way of living must be indicated with some freedom. A third is to write a straightforward biography. While the, last, and the least fruitful, is to' compose a, catalogue raisonnt of his works, useful for reference and of interest to thog lacking access to the scores.' This is the course M. Vallas seems to have chosen. There 'is very little original criticism, and what there is does not go deep. In so far as it serves a!D purpose, the book, .Claude "(hussy . (Oxford Universdf Press, 21s.), may be called expository ; but even then It reveals little that could not be gathered from. Debussy's own writings and from examination of the scores, The title, Claude Debussy,.. is _misleading, for Were ,is very little tq be learnt about Debussy -the man. Actually, I believe, the original was called Claude Debussy et ses Temps,'" and " ses Temps" would perhaps explain the tremendous amount of space devoted to the newspaper criticisms of the composi- thins as they-appeared; criticisms generally absurd•and alniost always uninspired. In short, one is left with a sense of wasted 'opportunity. The most useful„ part is the list of Debussy's compositions, each illustrated by the opening bars:
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