Debussy's rocky association with the Russian ballet impresario Sergei Diaghilev leads to his final orchestral work, "Jeux".
Over the course of the week Donald Macleod explores the musical fruits of Debussy's relationships with the society hostess Madame Vasnier, writer Pierre Louÿs, poets Stéphane Mallarmé and Maurice Maeterlinck and the ballet impresario Sergei Diaghilev.

Born in 1862, Debussy's childhood was overshadowed by periods of uncertainty and poverty. His father Manuel was in and out of employment and his mother was obliged to work as a seamstress to make ends meet. During the Commune, Debussy's father enlisted in the National Guard but family life hit a further stumbling block after the movement was crushed in 1871 as Manuel Debussy was put on trial and imprisoned. On identifying a natural talent and a potential income, young Debussy was steered towards a career as a concert pianist. He began his studies at the Paris Conservatoire at the age of 10. The twelve odd years he spent there being the only formal education he received. By the time he graduated he had made many useful contacts, some of whom we'll encounter across this week, as well as coming to the conclusion that he should focus on composition rather than performance.

To conclude this week's series Donald Macleod looks at Debussy's difficult final years. As his health declines and money is in short supply, Debussy engages in a collaboration with the flamboyant ballet impresario Sergei Diaghilev.

Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum
Angela Hewitt, piano

Violin Sonata
Jennifer Pike, violin
Martin Roscoe, piano

Jeux
London Symphony Orchestra
Valery Gergiev, conductor

En blanc et noir
Vladimir Ashkenazy, piano
Vovka Ashkenazy, piano. Show less