Impressionist Music and Composers

Impressionist Movement in Music

• Key representatives include French composers Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel, shaping 20th-century music.
• Notable international impressionist composers: Ottorino Respighi (Italy), Manuel de Falla and Isaac Albeniz (Spain), Ralph Vaughan Williams (England).

Claude Debussy (1862-1918)

• Influential 20th-century composer and primary exponent of impressionism.
• Revolutionized harmony, rhythm, texture, and form; born in St. Germain-en-Laye, France.
• Attended Paris Conservatory starting in 1873; known for rebellious approach in music theory.
• Won Prix de Rome in 1884 for "L'Enfant Prodigue," leading to two years of study in Rome.
• Key works include:
  • "Ariettes Oubliees"
  • "Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun"
  • "Pelleas et Melisande" (1895) - met with mixed reactions for its innovative style.
  • "La Mer" (1905) - atmospheric orchestral piece about the sea.
  • Piano compositions: "Images," "Suite Bergamasque," and "Estampes," with "Claire de Lune" as a signature piece.
• Total compositions approximately 227, spanning orchestral, chamber, and vocal music.
• Style marked by deviation from Romantic conventions, favoring free form and fluid themes.

Maurice Ravel (1875-1937)

• Known for adherence to classical norms with an emphasis on structure and craftsmanship.
• Significant works include:
  • "Pavane for a Dead Princess" (1899)
  • "Jeux d'Eau" (1901)
  • "String Quartet" (1903)
  • "Miroirs" (1905) - showcases harmonic creativity.
  • "Gaspard de la Nuit" (1908) - noted for technical difficulty.
  • "Bolero" (1928) - famous orchestral piece with repetitive structure.

Comparative Styles of Debussy and Ravel

• Debussy's music is spontaneous and liberal, focusing more on visual imagery; Ravel is meticulous and formal.
• Both composers share harmonic and textural similarities but differ in compositional philosophy.

Arnold Schoenberg (1874-1951)

• Born in Vienna; self-taught in music theory but studied counterpoint.
• Influenced by Richard Wagner; evolved to dissonance and atonality.
• Developed the twelve-tone technique, impacting future composers.
• Music received mixed reactions: polarizing between hostility and acclaim.

George Gershwin (1898-1937)

• Born to Russian Jewish immigrants in New York; lyrical collaborator with brother Ira.
• Key works: "Rhapsody in Blue" (1924), "An American in Paris" (1928), and opera "Porgy and Bess" (1934).
• Combined jazz rhythms and classical forms; celebrated for melodic innovation.
• Recognized as the “Father of American Jazz” with a diverse oeuvre totaling around 369 compositions.

Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990)

• Esteemed conductor, composer, and lecturer known for charismatic performances.
• Gained prominence conducting the New York Philharmonic in 1943.
• Best known for Broadway musicals, particularly "West Side Story" (1957) and "Candide" (1956).
• Believed in tonality as a universal musical language despite emerging serialist trends.

Philip Glass (born 1937)

• Prominent minimalist composer, integrating various art forms in his work.
• Known for repetitive, evolving patterns and electronic soundscapes.
• Influenced by Indian music; notable works include "Einstein on the Beach" (1976), blending minimalist style with theatrical elements.
• Total compositions around 170, exploring different genres and settings.

John Cage (1912-1992)

• Innovator in 20th-century music, introduced the concept of chance music.
• Famous for "4'33"" - a piece that highlights ambient sound over silence.
• Developed the "prepared piano," altering sound production through various objects placed inside the instrument.
• Engaged with Zen Buddhism, exploring the role of chance in composition.