Ms. McConnell’s Music Literature THE UNIVERSTIY OF AKRON December 7, 2004

Schedule for Today Review time periods we have learned thus far. Review time periods we have learned thus far. Impressionism Impressionism Claude Debussy: Short biography and hear certain pieces of his work Claude Debussy: Short biography and hear certain pieces of his work

First, we need to review the time periods we learned. ERAYEAR Baroque Classical Romantic Post- Romantic

What are few important points about Post-Romantic music? Extended from Extended from Bridge Between Romanticism and twentieth century Bridge Between Romanticism and twentieth century Impressionism also affected the music around this Era. Impressionism also affected the music around this Era.

What is impressionism? “Freshness of first impressions” “Freshness of first impressions” Applies to Art and Music of this period Applies to Art and Music of this period

Impressionism in the Arts “Hazy and Luminous paintings” “Hazy and Luminous paintings” They liked to paint the “continuous change in the appearance” of objects. They liked to paint the “continuous change in the appearance” of objects. Same objects painted repeatedly at different hours of the day. (Machlis and Forney pg. 480) Same objects painted repeatedly at different hours of the day. (Machlis and Forney pg. 480)

Impressionism in Music Gave rise in France, and it went beyond major and minor keys. Gave rise in France, and it went beyond major and minor keys. Focused much on intervals such as fourths and fifths. Focused much on intervals such as fourths and fifths. Ninth chords were used frequently. Ninth chords were used frequently. Used dissonance Used dissonance Whole-tone scale Whole-tone scale Parallel chords -found in Music by Debussy Parallel chords -found in Music by Debussy

But, why is the music considered impressionism like art? “Impressionist music wavers between major and minor without adhering to either. It hovers in a borderland between keys, creating elusive effects that might be compared to the misty outlines of Impressionist paintings.” ( Machlis and Forney pg. 482) “Impressionist music wavers between major and minor without adhering to either. It hovers in a borderland between keys, creating elusive effects that might be compared to the misty outlines of Impressionist paintings.” ( Machlis and Forney pg. 482)

Claude Debussy ( ) He was a brilliant composer from France. He was a brilliant composer from France. He created harmonies different from what was used previously. He created harmonies different from what was used previously. He went beyond the major and minor rules that was given to music. He went beyond the major and minor rules that was given to music.

The Life of Claude Debussy Born in St. Germainen-Laye, France Born in St. Germainen-Laye, France Went to school at the Paris Conservatory at the age of 11. Went to school at the Paris Conservatory at the age of 11. Composed opera, vocal and chamber, orchestral, and piano works. Composed opera, vocal and chamber, orchestral, and piano works.

More on Claude Debussy 1890’s was one of the most successful decades for Debussy- opera “Pelleas and Melisande.” 1890’s was one of the most successful decades for Debussy- opera “Pelleas and Melisande.” How the war in 1914 and cancer affected his view on music. How the war in 1914 and cancer affected his view on music. Debussy died in 1918 during Paris bombing. Debussy died in 1918 during Paris bombing. “Can neither laugh nor weep while so many of our men heroically face death.” (Machlis and Forney pg. 486) “Can neither laugh nor weep while so many of our men heroically face death.” (Machlis and Forney pg. 486)

Debussy’s passion for music contributed highly to why his music corresponds with impressionism. “The music I desire must be supple enough to adapt itself to the lyrical effusions of the soul and the fantasy of dreams.” - Debussy “The music I desire must be supple enough to adapt itself to the lyrical effusions of the soul and the fantasy of dreams.” - Debussy A listener can visualize certain colors from his music. He paints a picture through his music. A listener can visualize certain colors from his music. He paints a picture through his music.

Famous Debussy pieces “The Afternoon of a Faun” (Orchestral work) “The Afternoon of a Faun” (Orchestral work) “Clair de Lune” and “Pour le Piano” (piano works) “Clair de Lune” and “Pour le Piano” (piano works) “L’enfant Prodigue” (Choral work) “L’enfant Prodigue” (Choral work)

Pour Le Piano (Mvt. II Sarabande) Try to hear how this piece paints a picture in your head just as “hazy and luminous” as these paintings by Edgar Degas and Claude Monet. Try to hear how this piece paints a picture in your head just as “hazy and luminous” as these paintings by Edgar Degas and Claude Monet. Raise your hand when you hear examples of planing in this piece. Raise your hand when you hear examples of planing in this piece.

Review of Important points Post-Romantic Era Post-Romantic Era Bridge between Romantic and Twentieth century music. Bridge between Romantic and Twentieth century music. Impressionism occurred during this time period. Impressionism occurred during this time period. Impressionism affected both the arts and music. Impressionism affected both the arts and music. Claude Debussy is the perfect example of an impressionist composer. Claude Debussy is the perfect example of an impressionist composer.

Goals for next class Learn about the composer Maurice Ravel and his music. Learn about the composer Maurice Ravel and his music. Quiz on the elements of impressionist music. (HINT!!! Read your music literature books pg ) Quiz on the elements of impressionist music. (HINT!!! Read your music literature books pg ) Start learning early twentieth century music. Start learning early twentieth century music.

HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!

REFERENCES The Enjoyment of Music: Eighth Edition, Joseph Machlis and Kristine Forney: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc The Enjoyment of Music: Eighth Edition, Joseph Machlis and Kristine Forney: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc. 1999