1900-1945 Time of Artistic and Musical diversity - new styles and genres appeared faster - influenced by cultural climate and wars - We get to a definitive break from tonality - Classical music becomes very controversial Decline of The Symphony and Opera - rise in free forms for orchestra, ballet, chamber music, and piano music
Paris at the turn of the Century Paris Conservatoire Impressionism Exoticism Claude Debussy Maurice Ravel Igor Stravinsky Ballet Russe
Impressionism Sunrise, Claude Monet 1872
Impressionism In painting- visible brush strokes, inclusion of movement In music-focused on suggestion and atmosphere rather than strong emotion or the depiction of a story (as in program music). Favor short forms (no symphonies!) Based in France Use of whole tone scale Artistic Impressionism: Monet ::Musical Impressionism: Debussy Painting-include visible brush strokes, open composition, emphasis on light in its changing qualities (often accentuating the effects of the passage of time), ordinary subject matter, the inclusion of movement as a crucial element of human perception and experience, and unusual visual angles.
Claude Debussy 1862-1918 Born in France Music instructor to the children of Mme. Von Meck - Fascination with Mussorgsky 1888-Traveled to Bayreuth Festival - interest in Wagner (wouldn’t admit it publicly) 1889-Worlds Fair to Paris - Javanese Gamelan Music (Pentatonic Scale) –Exoticism!!! 1883-Death of Wagner-cult following.
Claude Debussy 1862-1918 Orchestral Music Piano Music - Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun Tone Poem based on poem by Stéphane Mallarmé Opens with flute solo Lush strings vs wind choir - Nocturnes “Clouds”, “Festivals”, “Sirens” Piano Music - Use of sustain pedal Arabesque: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28Qi4jLtigc Claire de Lune: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2XzoA94Zws Cathedral: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWpN5ioWr2g&feature=related Nuages: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRN8RA5Vph8
Maurice Ravel 1875-1937 Born in France - Father was Swiss/French, Mother was Spanish - His Mother’s Basque heritage played a major role in his music Entered the Paris Conservatoire in 1889 - Failed as a pianist, was expelled - returned as a composition student - never won the Prix de Rome
Maurice Ravel 1875-1937 Combined French Impressionism with Spanish Folk ideas Excelled at orchestration - Great at mimicking other composers & styles - most famous is “Pictures at an Exhibition” Composed mostly for piano and orchestra Also wrote 2 Operas and 1 String Quartet - L'enfant et les sortilèges very influential String Quartet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vp58sIFaNKQ&feature=related Pavanne: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKkeDqJBlK8 Daphne: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrOJcEHXYWM Alborada: 1:20 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-WS7YhsiFM 5:45 l’infant: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFViB9vrB1E&feature=related 6:10 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2BCyDlUKMk&feature=related