This article is within the scope of WikiProject Biography, a collaborative effort to create, develop and organize Wikipedia's articles about people. All interested editors are invited to join the project and contribute to the discussion. For instructions on how to use this banner, please refer to the documentation.BiographyWikipedia:WikiProject BiographyTemplate:WikiProject Biographybiography articles
This article is within the scope of the WikiProject Composers, a group of editors writing and developing biographical articles about composers of all eras and styles. The project discussion page is the place to talk about technical and editorial issues and exchange ideas. New members are welcome!ComposersWikipedia:WikiProject ComposersTemplate:WikiProject ComposersComposers articles
This article is within the scope of WikiProject France, a collaborative effort to improve the coverage of France on Wikipedia. If you would like to participate, please visit the project page, where you can join the discussion and see a list of open tasks.FranceWikipedia:WikiProject FranceTemplate:WikiProject FranceFrance articles
This article is within the scope of WikiProject Dance, a collaborative effort to improve the coverage of Dance and Dance-related topics on Wikipedia. If you would like to participate, please visit the project page, where you can join the discussion and see a list of open tasks.DanceWikipedia:WikiProject DanceTemplate:WikiProject DanceDance articles
I believe that the article placed rather undue weight to Taruskin's 2010 interpretation that Debussy was anti-Semitic. It doesn't make it clear that other authors disagree with his view. As I added with a source, Rosen clearly thought otherwise in 2012, proposing an interpretation of the Dukas comment as anti-Wagnerism, and cites one of the editors of Debussy's collected letters for a statement that he was not anti-Semitic.
Marie Rolf's recent 2024 article in The Musical Quarterly, which I searched after this revert (so, I suppose, thanks for prompting me to look up what's most recently been written) puts things in greater context. She notes that There is little hint of any religious conviction or genuine political opinion held by Debussy, and that he was silent during the Dreyfus affair. On the other side, she also notes that no doubt, he occasionally let slip traces of the anti-Semitism that was more or less deep-rooted and rather widespread at the time, quoting a joke he made to Henry Lerolle. So it's not at all clear that his anti-Semitism extended beyond jokes or was beyond the usual standards of the time, as was for example true of Balakirev; and it's not at all clear that the comment he made about Dukas was anti-Semitic (Taruskin's interpretation) so much as anti-Wagnerian / anti-German (Rosen's interpretation).
There's also a scholarly dispute about Chopin's views about Jews, which the Chopin FA is incidentally completely silent about. But better that than only presenting one side, I feel. Double sharp (talk) 16:50, 14 April 2024 (UTC)[reply]
@Tim riley: Since this might've been lost in your watchlist after the bot did its archiving. Double sharp (talk) 15:08, 16 April 2024 (UTC)[reply]
You have convinced me, at any rate. I have briefly checked biographies of Debussy by Abravanel, Barraqué, Koechlin, Laloy, Lederer, Lockspeiser, Nichols, Suarès and Vallas and found nothing about any antisemitism on Debussy's part. I hope others will express a view here. Meanwhile I suggest you leave the text as it is pending comments here from others. If there are none I'd vote for restoring your addition – though without the WP:CITEVAR violation please. Tim riley talk 16:01, 16 April 2024 (UTC)[reply]
Double sharp, I'd say ample time has elapsed for other editors to add their comments, and in the absence of any I suggest you restore your addition (with the citation style of the rest of the article, please.) Tim riley talk 10:46, 24 April 2024 (UTC)[reply]
@Tim riley: Thanks! I'm currently away, but will do it in a week when I'm back. Double sharp (talk) 13:33, 24 April 2024 (UTC)[reply]
No rush. I'll do it myself if I have time. Tim riley talk 13:49, 24 April 2024 (UTC)[reply]