How did Claude Debussy impact the history of music?

Claude Debussy (1862–1918) was a French composer, pianist, and music critic. He is widely considered to be one of the most influential composers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Debussy's work was characterized by a focus on sensory qualities and atmosphere, and by a rejection of traditional musical forms. He was also known for his use of exotic scales, modes, and instrumentation.

Debussy's most famous work is probably the orchestral suite "La Mer" (1905). Other well-known works include the piano pieces "Clair de lune" from the "Suite bergamasque" (1890), "Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune" (1894), and the opera "Pelléas et Mélisande" (1902).

Debussy's music had a profound impact on the history of music. His work helped to establish a new aesthetic in music, one that was based on a more subjective and emotional response to the world. He also helped to break down the traditional barriers between classical music and popular music. Debussy's influence can be heard in the music of many later composers, including Maurice Ravel, Igor Stravinsky, and Bela Bartok.