by Hadley Snell
Although impressionism is known primarily as a movement in the visual arts, this style had a significant role in musical literature, as well. In contrast to more structured, melodic movements such as the classical or romantic periods, impressionism sought to express vivid images with less rigid compositions. In the same way impressionists paintings illustrated movement through the dynamic qualities of light, impressionists composers often experimented with unconventional harmonies and chord combinations that focused more on the ‘impression’ of a piece, rather than the technical aspects of the music itself. There are several composers that had impressionist qualities in their music, but two significant ones we will discuss today are the famed French Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel.
Likely the better known of the two is Debussy, whose works such as “Clair de Lune” and “Arabesque No. 1” are virtually staples for the intermediate/early advanced pianist. Although he personally rejected the label of impressionism, he is undoubtedly the composer most associated with the movement. His works often have a unique sensitivity and expression of emotion that appears serenely calm, but after further study, one begins to discern the dynamic nuances and shifts that exist in each of his pieces. One of my personal favorites is “La fille aux cheveux de lin”, or “The girl with the flaxen hair”. Based on a poem by Leconte de Lisle, who was a prominent French poet of the Parnassian movement, the piece is short but expressive. The combination of lyrical runs and gentle chord shifts add subtle patterns of excitement and relaxation without the unbridled ups and downs that characterized the Romantic movement that came before. Beyond piano, Debussy also composed for a wide variety of other instruments, such as in his orchestral symphony “La mer”. However, regardless of his media, Debussy’s style is certainly one to be admired. Even if he may not have considered himself an impressionist, the images he painted with his music remain imprinted in the minds of many musicians today.
One perhaps lesser known but no less important figure of the impressionist movement in music is Maurice Ravel. Born in Ciboure, France, Ravel displayed an unrivaled level of perfection in his works from a young age. At just fourteen, he was accepted into the Paris Conservatoire, which is a highly prestigious music and dance school. One of his best known works is “Boléro", which is an orchestral composition that has been used in many films. Although it sounds less abstract than some of Debussy’s pieces, its ebb and flow between lofty beauty and delicate tension lends itself well to the impressionist style. Another beautiful composition by Ravel is “Daphnis Et Chloé”, which was written for ballet. It begins with an elegant flute lyrical section, but eventually builds to a dramatic climax as the voices of all the instruments work together in a powerful force of sound. Finally, his piece “Pavane Pour Une Infante Défunte”, or "Pavane for a Dead Princess”, was originally written for piano. It was written while he was still at the Paris Conservatoire, and again demonstrates how his care for intricate detail shined through most prevalently in his works.
While there are many other composers and aspects of Impressionism to explore, Debussy and Ravel are certainly frontrunners of the movement. From poetic preludes to imaginative instrumentation, these composers found ways to communicate in truly distinctive voices. Their work reminds us that life is little but a million moments, and through music, we can only hope to capture a few fleeting impressions before everything shifts again.
Works Cited:
“Claude Debussy - Impressionism, Orchestral, Piano | Britannica.” Encyclopædia Britannica,
2023, www.britannica.com/biography/Claude-Debussy/Evolution-of-his-work. Accessed 4 Nov. 2023.
“Maurice Ravel | Biography, Music, Bolero, Compositions, & Facts | Britannica.” Encyclopædia
Britannica, 2023, www.britannica.com/biography/Maurice-Ravel. Accessed 4 Nov. 2023.
Team, uDiscover. “Best Ravel Works: 10 Essential Pieces by the Great Composer.” UDiscover
Music, 7 Mar. 2023, www.udiscovermusic.com/classical-features/best-ravel-works/. Accessed 4 Nov. 2023.
Suggested reading: Learn more about Debussy’s “La Mer”! https://houstonsymphony.org/debussy-la-mer/
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