Test 2 Flashcards
In painting, the term sprang from Monet’s impression: Sun rising - used in derision by critics
Impressionism (art)
What was the goal of impressionism in art?
Not to paint an exact representation of things, but the artists momentary impression. Emphasis on mood not intellect
What was the most important element in impressionism art?
Light
Who are the impressionism artists?
Monet, Manet, Renoir
What is impressionistic literature?
Exact representation of words, not focus, but the imagery in sound of the words
Symbolist poets
Mallarme and Verlaine
What is French impressionism in music?
Reaction to a German romanticism in emotional drama of Wagner, etc. Sensual rather than intellectual
Describe impressionistic music
Music was more subtle Melody, more obscure, colorful harmonies in orchestration emphasized
Claude Debussy
Child prodigy, entered Paris Conservatory at 11, rebel
Claude Debussy
Acquainted with mallarme and leading impressionist painters and poets, at 32 wrote the first major orchestral work Prelude to Afternoon of the Faun
Claude Debussy
Culmination work of the 1890’s the opera Pelleas and Mellisannde catapulted him to fame, worked on it for 10 years
Impressionism In music
Traditional forms like the sonata and symphony seemed outmoded to the impressionists, focused on short lyric forms like preludes and nocturnes
Impressionism in music
Reaction to romanticism but also carried on some tradition, lyricism and emphasis on mood
Impressionism in music
Musical center of the world moved from Vienna to Paris
Impressionism in music
Elements - pentatonic and whole tone scale, church modes, Triad extension (9th chords), frequent change of tonal center and chord progressions which did not conform to functional harmony
Claude Debussy
Transparent and airy, melody and meter often obscured and Hated the term Impressionism
Claude Debussy
Faun, three nocturnes, la mer, Iberia
Claude Debussy
Piano works most important compositions, comparable to Chopin - suite bergamaque, 2 books of preludes, etudes dedicated to Chopin
Claude Debussy
Death was the end of Impressionism, confectionary, harp, Celeste, did not want to write romantic. No common practice period
Claude Debussy
Chamber music - string quartet in gm, sonatas for cello and piano, flute, viola, harp, violin, piano, several art songs
Maurice Ravel
Stimulated by a group of avante-guard poets and painters
Maurice ravel
Typing brain surgery, finest string, quartets, greatest orchestrator, piano trio: violin, cello, piano. strong, impressionistic, strings
Maurice Ravel
Music was not accepted at first by public, and critics but soon gained, popularity, composed, slowly, fairly small output
Maurice Ravel
After the death of Debussy, what is Frances leading composer?
Maurice Ravel
More of a classicist in writing than Debussy, he was a craftsman who’s music was more academically refined he returned to classical conception of form
Maurice Ravel
Melodies are more distinct than Debussy
Maurice Ravel
Rhythmic & metric sense, more evident than Debussy
Maurice Ravel
Harmonies more dissonant, but sense of key stronger
Maurice Ravel
Master orchestrator, music brighter in general and more use of percussion
Maurice Ravel
Piano works - pavane, Gaspard de la nuit, sonatine
Maurice Ravel
Orchestra - Daphnis & Chloe Suite (from ballet) Bolero, La Valse, Mother Goose Suite, Alborado del Grazioso
Maurice Ravel
Concertos Dash Concerto in G, concerto for the left-hand
Maurice Ravel
Chamber music – string Quartet, piano Trio, introduction and allegro for flute, Clarinet, harp and strings
Dukas Nationality
French
Falla Nationality
Spanish
Delius Nationality
English
Respighi nationality
Italian
Griffes nationality
US
Erik Satie
Founder of neoclassicism, mentor. Music not often performed.
Erik Satie
Decided impressionism could go no further. Mentor of the French six.
Erik Satie
Studied at the Paris Conservatory and lived near poverty. Preoccupied with medieval rites (Rosicrucians)
Erik Satie
Returned to simpler melodic lines with more clarity and orchestration, harmony, devoid of emotion, return to classical form
Erik Satie
Strange titles, such as three pieces in the form of a pair, do not put your head under your arm, satirizing impressionist titles
Erik Satie
Works – Gymnopedies, parade, Socrate, symphonic drama on dialogues of Plato
Erik Satie
Homophonic melody & accompaniment, more diatonic, and less colorful orchestration. Mocked impressionism.
Erik Satie
Very eccentric but prophetic of what was to come in neoclassicism and minimalism
