IMPRESSIONISM MUSIC

IMPRESSIONISM
MUSIC
The start of the 20th century saw the rise
of distinct musical styles that reflected a
move away from the conventions of
earlier Western classical music. These
new styles were impressionism,
expressionism, neo-classicism, avant-
garde music, and modern nationalism
IMPRESSIONISM
MUSIC
The distinct dual styles of the 20 th century
would not have developed if not for the
musical genius od individual composers
such as Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel,
Arnold Schoenberg, Bela Bartok, Igor
Stravinsky, Sergei Prokefieff, and George
Gershwin. They stand out as the moving
forces behind the innovative and
experimental styles.
IMPRESSIONISM
MUSIC
One of the earlier forms clearly declaring the
entry of 20th century music was known as
impressionism. This was based on an art
movement started by 19th century Paris-based
on visual artists, specifically Claude Monet
through his painting Impression Sunrise.
The term found its way to music in the late 19th
and early 20th century among French composers
IMPRESSIONISM
MUSIC
The sentimental melodies and dramatic emotionalism
of preceding Romantic Period had themes and
melodies that were easy to recognize and enjoy. In
impressionism, they were being replaced in favor of
moods and impressions. There was an extensive use in
different timbres(tone quality) and effects, vague
melodies, and innovative chords and progressions
leading to mild dissonances through orchestration,
texture or harmonic usage
IMPRESSIONISM
MUSIC
Sublime moods and melodic suggestions
replaced highly expressive program music, or
music with imagery. With this trend came new
combinations of extended chords and harmonies,
whole tone, chromatic, and pentatonic scales.
Impressionism was an attempt to suggest reality.
It was meant to create emotional mood rather
than a specific picture.
IMPRESSIONISM
MUSIC
In impressionism, the sound of different chords
overlapped lightly with each other to produce
new subtle musical colors. Chords did not have a
definite order and a sense of clear resolution.
Other features included the lack of tonic-
dominant relationship which normally gives the
feeling of infantry to a piece, moods and textures,
harmonic vagueness about the structure of certain
chords, and use of the whole tone scale.
IMPRESSIONISM
MUSIC
Most of the impressionist works centered on
nature and it’s beauty, lightness, and brilliance. A
number of outstanding impressionists created
works on this subject—such as Debussy’s La
Mer and Claire de Lune
IMPRESSIONISM MUSIC
CLAUDE DEBUSSY
(1862-1918)
The impressionist movement in music had its
foremost proponents in the French Composers
Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel. Both had
developed a particular style of composing
adopted by many 20th century composers. Among
the most famous impressionist composers in
other countries were Ottorino Respighi (Italy),
Manuel de Fella and Isaac Albeniz(Spain), and
Ralph Vaugham Williams(England).
CLAUDE DEBUSSY
(1862-1918)
From the East, he was fascinated by the
Javanese gamelan that he has heard in
the at the 1889 Paris Exposition. The
gamelan is an ensemble with bells,
gongs, xylophone, and occasional vocal
parts which he later used in his works to
achive a new sound.
CLAUDE DEBUSSY
(1862-1918)
From visual arts, Debussy was
influenced by Monet, Pissarro, Manet,
Degas, and Renoir; and from the literary
arts, by Mallarme, Verlaine, and
Rimbaud. Most of his close friends are
painters and poets who significantly
influenced his compositions.
CLAUDE DEBUSSY
(1862-1918)
As the “Father of the Modern
School of Composition,” he made
his mark on the styles of later 20th
century composers like Igor
Stravinsky, Edgar Varese, and
Oliver Messiaen.
CLAUDE DEBUSSY
(1862-1918)
Debussy spent the remaining
years of his life as a critic,
composer, and performer. He
died of cancer in Paris on March
25, 1918 at the height of the
First World War.
CLAUDE DEBUSSY
(1862-1918)
One of the most important and influential of the
20th century composers was Claude Debussy. He
was the primary exponent of the impressionist
movement and the focal point for other
impressionist composers. He changed the course
of musical development by evolving traditional
rules and conventions into a new language of
possibilities in harmony, rhythm, form, texture,
and color.
CLAUDE DEBUSSY
(1862-1918)
Debussy was born in St. Germain-en-
Laye in France on August 22, 1862. His
early musical talents were channeled
into piano lessons. He entered the Paris
Conservatory in 1873. He gained a
reputation as an erratic pianist and a
rebel in theory and harmony.
CLAUDE DEBUSSY
(1862-1918)
He added other systems of musical
compositions because of his musical
training. In1884, he won the top prize
at the Prix de Rme competition with
his composition L’ Enfant
Prodigue(The prodigal Son). This
enabled him to study for two years in
Rome.
CLAUDE DEBUSSY
(1862-1918)
His musical compositions
total more or less 277 which
include orchestral music,
piano music, operas, ballets,
songs, and other vocal music
CLAUDE DEBUSSY
(1862-1918)
The creative style of Debussy was
characterized by his unique approach to
the various musical elements. His
compositions deviated from the
Romantic Period, as is clearly seen by
the way he avoided metric pulses and
prefered free form to develop his
themes. Debussy was highly admired.
IMPRESSIONISM MUSIC
 Debussy’s mature creative DEBUSSY’S
period was represented by
the following works: MUSIC
• Ariettes Oubliees
• Prelude to the Afternoon of a faun
• String Quartet
• Pelleas et Melisalde (1895)-His famous operatic work that drew mixed
extreme reactions for its innovative harmonies and textural treatments
• La Mer (1905)-A highly imaginative and atmosphere symphonic work for
orchestra about the sea
• Images, Suite Bergamayque, and Estampes – His most popular piano
compositions; a set of lightly textured pieces containing his signature work
Claire de Lune(Moonlight)
CLAIRE DE LUNE SHEET MUSIC
POST TEST
1. What is the 3 primary elements in
impressionism music?
a) Fluidity, atmosphere and tone color
b) Color, texture, and fluidity
c) Color and fluidity only

2. Among the most influential composers of

the late 19th and early 20th century.
a) Claude Debussy
b) Ernest Fenelli
c) Gabriel Pierne
POST TEST
3. When and where did impressionism music
began?
a) 18th century in France
b) 19th century in Germany
c) 19th century in France
4. His compositions included 5 symphonies, 3 violin
sonatas, cello sonatas, 6 string quartet a piano trio and
string trio, stage works a number of choral works and
other music often alluding to hi Berton Heritage
a) Guy Ropartz
b) Ernest Fenelli
c) Gabriel Pierne
POST TEST
5. He won the French prix de Rome in 1882,
with his cantata Edith.
a) Gabriel Pierne
b) Ernest Fenelli
c) Guy Ropartz

6. Spanish Basque composer who was a key

player in the 20th century Spanish Basque
music
a) Guy Ropartz
b) Jesus Gurdi Biadaaola
c) Nikola Tcherepin
POST TEST
7. Who composed “Prelude L’apress – midi
D’un Faune”?
a) Mourice Ravel
b) Claude Debussy
c) Jean Sibelius

8. Who composed “Nocturn”?

a) Manuel de Fella
b) Lili Boulanger
c) Jean Sibelius
POST TEST
9. Who compose “Claire de Lune”?
a) Maurice Ravel
b) Eric Sattie
c) Claude Bedussy
10. Who composed “Sieta Cansiones Populares
Españolas: No. 5?
a) Manuel De Fella
b) Jean Sibelius
c) Maurice Ravel
11-15. Enumerate 5 composers from the Impressionism period
ANSWER KEY
11-15.
1.A 6.B Claude Debussy
2.A 7.B Manuel de Falla
Jesus Gurdi Bidaola
3.C 8.B Gabriel Pierne
4.A 9.C Jean Sibelius
Eric Sattie
5.B 10.A Lili Boulanger
Guy Ropartz
(Any order)