Impressionism was a musical movement that took place at
the end of the 1800s and the beginning of the 1900s. It
was not a separate era, like the Romantic era, but rather a smaller style used by only a few composers. Most impressionist music was written in France or Western Europe. Impressionist music is written to create an atmosphere. It focuses on conveying the moods and emotions aroused by the subject rather than a detailed tonepicture. The two most well known impressionist composers are Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel. Impression, Sunrise by Claude Monet Impressionism was also an art movement. Mood is the feeling and character of the music. Joyful Aggressive Sad Bleak Angry Funny Lively Dreamy Animated Eerie Mysterious Gloomy Sweetly Magical Calm Quirky Relaxed Spooky Sentimental Urgent was born in 1862. He learned to play the piano as a young boy. In his life he wrote many songs for the piano, orchestra, string instruments, and singers.
This song is part of a bigger piece
called Childrens Corner, which he wrote for his daughter. The songs are meant to represent childhood. Some of the other songs are Jimbo's Lullaby, Serenade for the Doll,and Golliwoggs Cakewalk. 1. What is the only instrument that you hear? 2. Is this piece joyful, sad, lively or calm? (choose one or more) 3. If you could rename this song, what wintery title would you give it? Why? Maurice Ravel was born in 1875 in France. He began piano lessons at the age of 6 and quickly became an excellent pianist. Ravel is remembered as one of the most well known Impressionist composers. This piece, The Valley of Bells, is from a larger suite for solo piano titled Miroirs. It is the last of the five movements and is written to evoke the image of bells sounding. 1. How would you describe the speed or tempo of this piece? 2. List one word to describe the feeling or mood of this piece. 3. Did you enjoy listening to this piece? Why or why not? Schubert was born in 1797. During his short life he wrote over 600 songs. This song, Der Leiermann, means the Organ-grinder. It is about a street performer who plays his musical instrument, and even in the cold winter when no one listens to him, he still plays. He has a smile and is not sad, he just keeps on playing. 1. What two instruments do you hear? 2. Is the mood of this piece lively, aggressive, or gloomy? 3. Tell about a time when you saw someone performing on the sidewalk. Were they singing, playing an instrument, dancing or doing something else? Were they happy to be there? was born in 1862. He learned to play the piano as a young boy. In his life he wrote many songs for the piano, orchestra, string instruments, and singers.
This piece comes from Debussys
first book of piano preludes. Its inspiration may have come from a painting of a snowy landscape. 1. List one word to describe the quality or timbre of the piano. 2. How would you describe the mood of this piece? 3. What is one thing you would add to this piece to enhance the mood? Why? Vivaldi was born in 1678. He learned to play the violin when he was very young.
This piece, Winter, is part of
a bigger work called The Four Seasons, which has four parts for the four seasons. It was written in 1720 during the Baroque era. 1. In the beginning the strings are featured. Are their notes separate and detached or smoothly connected? 2. Is this played by a marching band, a choir, or an orchestra? 3. A violin uses quick notes to glide up and down the musical scale. Some listeners think this sounds like an ice skater gliding up and down the ice. What other picture does it bring to your mind? The Mamas & the Papas were an American folk rock group in the 1960s. The song California Dreamin was written in New York and meant to express the singers longing for California during a cold winter. 1. Is the style of this song jazz, gospel, or rock? 2. List one word to describe the mood or feeling of this piece. 3. The writers of this piece dream about warm and sunny California on a winters day. What do you dream about when the weather is cold and frigid?