1. Impressionist Music (circa 1875 to 1925)

2. Impressionism is a late 19 th century and early 20 th century artistic movement that began as a loose association of Paris-based painters whose independent exhibitions brought them to prominence in the 1870s and 1880s. The name of the Impressionist movement is derived from the title of an 1872 painting of Claude Monet, Impression, Sunrise.

3. Impression, Sunrise (1872) Claude Monet

4. As with most artistic movements, the Impressionist movement in music was a reaction to the previous era of music, namely the Romantic era, in which the music of many composers is heavy and overly dramatic by comparison.

5. Characteristics of Impressionist Music Music conveys atmosphere and subtle emotion in contrast to the strong emotions expressed in music of the Romantic period A departure from traditional major/minor harmonies to include the use of whole tone and pentatonic scales, advanced chromatic harmony, and dissonance –Planing—a series of parallel harmonies (all voices of a chord move in identical motion) –Tertian harmonies (based on thirds) extended past the triad and 7th A departure from traditional musical forms, such as the symphony, concerto and sonata, in favor of shorter musical forms, such as the prelude, nocturne and the song Great emphasis on orchestration as a form of art in itself

6. Claude Debussy (1862-1918)

7. Debussy 1862-1918 Born in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France Mother fled with him to Cannes to escape the Franco-Prussian war –While in Cannes, he began piano lessons Entered the Paris Conservatoire at age 10 –Studied with prominent teachers of the era –Often challenged the teaching of the Conservatoire Received support from a few patrons Won a scholarship to the Académie des Beaux-Arts for his composition, L’Enfant Prodigue Engaged in several turbulent relationships with several women –Had a daughter, Claude-Emma, whom he called Chouchou Disliked the term Impressionism to describe his music: "I am trying to do 'something different'—an effect of reality... what the imbeciles call 'impressionism', a term which is as poorly used as possible, particularly by the critics, since they do not hesitate to apply it to Turner, the finest creator of mysterious effects in all the world of art."

8. Works by Debussy La Mer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOCucJw7iT8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOCucJw7iT8 Nuages: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Li5d4r7Yt00 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Li5d4r7Yt00 Clair de Lune: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FG9aWvSxtMU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FG9aWvSxtMU

9. Maurice Ravel (1875-1937)

10. Ravel 1875-1937 Born in Ciboure, France (near the Spanish border) Was influenced by the Basque-Spanish folk songs his mother sang to him as a child Began piano lessons at age 6 Studied at the Conservatoire de Paris –Won first prize in a student piano competition –Was expelled in 1895 (for failing to earn a competitive medal), but readmitted in 1898 –Switched his major to composition, but was expelled again for failing to win a prize for his compositions Known for being meticulous in appearance, with a reserved personality Loved Jazz—its influence is found in some of his work –Heard Jazz in Harlem with Gershwin and in New Orleans

11. Works by Ravel Jeux d’Eau: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnKFIp7CahY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnKFIp7CahY Bolero: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-4J5j74VPw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-4J5j74VPw Trois Beaux Oiseaux du Paradis from Trois Chansons: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6l-GPMd0KEk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6l-GPMd0KEk