One of the greatest musicians of all time, Claude Debussy had an enormous influence on all generations of musicians worldwide. Debussy studied at the Paris Conservatoire as both composer and pianist. In 1884 Debussy was awarded the prestigious Prix de Rome in composition for his cantata L’Enfant Prodigue. Debussy's uniquely characteristic musical ideas have become a link between the romantic period and the twentieth century music. Debussy is also regarded the most important piano composer after Frederic Chopin.