Question

4. Despite inadvertently being a leading force behind this new artistic movement, how did Debussy feel about being associated with this term?

Answer 1

Debussy's music was often inspired by literary and pictorial ideas and his music sounds free and spontaneous. Tone color gets unprecedented attention in his works; they have a sensuous, beautiful sound. The entire orchestra rarely plays all together to produce a massive sound; instead, there are brief and frequent solos. Woodwinds are prominent and strings and brasses are often muted.

Answer 2

Although we might reasonably draw the boundary line between 19th century music and that of the 20th century at the beginning of World War I (1914), important developments took place well before that date. One of the most important technical developments that took place in late 19th century music was the gradual breakdown or dissolution of the system of tonality that had been an implicit aspect of Western European music since the beginning of the Baroque period. Tonal music continued to be written (and continues today); however, the practice has become a matter of choice rather than an unstated assumption.

I hope this helps.