Impressionist Music

[Bogey]

I would like to know a bit more about how "impressionism" fits into music and your take on the above heading.

From what I have read on the web, Debussy, Ravel, Dukas, and Respighi fall under this heading.  Do you agree with this and or who else might you place on this list?

The reason I am curious is that the above composers have suddenly caught a major portion of my musical attention and they seem to have this "heading" in common.  I might mention that I did not look up impressionist music and take an interest in these composers, rather I started to enjoy these composers and found that they may share this heading. 

Whatever you can share with me about this I would appreciate.  Now, I will sit back and "listen" and keep my trap shut unless I have a question.  Thanks!

PS: One last thing.  Does impressionist music have any legitimate connection to impressionism within the world of impressionist painters?  Or are we talking apples and oranges here?

[SonicMan46]

Good evening, Bill - good question - I'll take a first crack at a response! 

First of all, the term Impressionism is best applied to the late 19th century French painting movement of the time, best pertaining to the French artists, such as Renoir, Monet, Pissaro et al (the American, Mary Cassat is another); the start of this movement is best approached first through painting - an outstanding DVD set that I own from A&E is shown below (there is also a Post-Impressionism set that would include such artists as Van Gogh, Cezanne, et al); I'm sure many have viewed these paintings in books or in person - 'impressions' - momentary, atmospheric, light & color, transitory, visual, etc. are terms often applied to the perceptions of these various artists.

Of course, the query is whether this concept of 'visual arts' transcends to the music of the times?  The term 'Impressionism' in music was soon adapted to the music of composers in the late 19th & early 20th century, esp. Debussy (who actually disapproved of this term applied to his compositions); the concept was that music similarily could reflect these same ideas expressed by the visual artists, i.e. reflections of nature, landscape, light, water w/ varied instrumental textures that portrayed these concepts aurally.

Certainly when listening to Debussy's La Mer (and certainly other works by this composer) & Ravel's Daphnis et Chloe, these associations w/ the visual artists seem obvious, but still quite controversial.  My bottom line (just for myself w/ a great interest in this movement from a visual aspect) is that the term should not be applied to music - don't think most of these composers would accept the association, and I would agree - not sure if this helps, but might start some interesting posts!  Dave 

[Szykneij]

To me, Impressionistic Music is the most affective music there is. No other music reaches me as deeply on an emotional level. I remember as a child being greatly touched by the music in the movie "To Kill a Mockingbird", a soundtrack composed by Elmer Bernstein. I realized later in life it was the impressionistic elements of the score that drew me to it. The link below provides one of the best summaries of the nature of Impressionism in music I've come across.

http://www.kaublepianostudio.com/history/impressionistic.html

I'd definitely include Satie in your list.

[12tone.]

From what I have read on the web, Debussy, Ravel, Dukas, and Respighi fall under this heading.  Do you agree with this and or who else might you place on this list?

Yep.  You might also add Faure?

PS: One last thing.  Does impressionist music have any legitimate connection to impressionism within the world of impressionist painters?  Or are we talking apples and oranges here?

I think the impressionist music fits well with the paintings.  Both have common ideas.  The idea of a stict non-abstract subject but still played with by adjusting the manner of the subjects presentation.  The music, especially in Debussy's, has a floaty and dreamy quality to it that may be shared with the paintings or other impressionist art. 

[Symphonien]

Delius is another.

[lukeottevanger]

Impressionism is a bit of a specious label when applied to music - Debussy himself was unhappy with it, IIRC, and preferred the term 'symbolist' -  but even if one accepts what it is supposed to mean, it resolutely does not include Satie, Faure or Delius, nor Respighi really. Those comparisions are drawn based on a few famous works, but impressionism does not represent these composers' respective aesthetics at all. Nor most of Ravel or much of later Debussy! It's a very small category in fact, at least amongst the 'great' composers.

[Christo]

Okay, that's quite a clear statement. But what about Frank Bridge?

[Bogey]

So, is there a "time period" that a composer had to compose a piece along with its style to fall into this category, or can someone new tomorrow compose an "impressionistic" piece?

[lukeottevanger]

Okay, that's quite a clear statement. But what about Frank Bridge?

Bridge can be impressionist in some piece, as is John Ireland. But in general, I wouldn't say so. Impressionism puts sensation above abstraction, and Bridge usually has some concern with such abstract techniques. But then, as I said, not even Debussy is always impressionist; in fact, the hard core of Debussy's impressionist pieces is fairly small though stuffed with masterpieces - the piano Preludes, Images and Estampes plus some individual pieces, the orchestral Nocturnes, Images, La Mer and Eric's Prelude being the major ones IMO.

[lukeottevanger]

So, is there a "time period" that a composer had to compose a piece along with its style to fall into this category, or can someone new tomorrow compose an "impressionistic" piece?

I don't see why not.

[George]

So, is there a "time period" that a composer had to compose a piece along with its style to fall into this category, or can someone new tomorrow compose an "impressionistic" piece?

There may be a time period during which the majority of Impresssionists composed works of that style, but certainly it would be nice for a modern day composer to do so. For that matter, I'd love to hear a contemporary composer write in any of the bygone genres. I assume if he or she did so then the prefix Neo would be added. 

[Christo]

.. and Eric's Prelude ..

Actually, I don't know that piece - is it Debussy's reponse to Für Elise?

[greg]

Actually, I don't know that piece - is it Debussy's reponse to Für Elise?

Eric was a GMG member who would always post about how much he likes "Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun"

[12tone.]

So, is there a "time period" that a composer had to compose a piece along with its style to fall into this category, or can someone new tomorrow compose an "impressionistic" piece?

It's like a painting.  Sure you can paint an 'impressionist' painting today.  You can even paint something that looks baroque or modern.  You try your hand at abstract or anything else.  But will it really be that style?  No.  It won't because you made it today.

Same goes for music.  If you write in the classical Mozartian style it'll be called Neo-Classical.  It'll sound classical but it won't be because you're not in that period.  You're just copying.

[jochanaan]

Laying aside the debate about what Impressionism is, or if it exists in music, a couple of other composers who used similar styles, sounds and methods are Arnold Bax and Charles T. Griffes.  I highly recommend Griffes' Poem for Flute and Orchestra.

I would add that Chabrier and Chausson anticipated this style.  Ravel once said that Chabrier's music was the foundation for his style.  The Chausson Poème, for violin and orchestra, is a beautifully impressionist piece.

[Bogey]

Laying aside the debate about what Impressionism is, or if it exists in music, a couple of other composers who used similar styles, sounds and methods are Arnold Bax and Charles T. Griffes.  I highly recommend Griffes' Poem for Flute and Orchestra.

I would add that Chabrier and Chausson anticipated this style.  Ravel once said that Chabrier's music was the foundation for his style.  The Chausson Poème, for violin and orchestra, is a beautifully impressionist piece.

Is there a particular recording you enjoy here?

[SonicMan46]

Is there a particular recording you enjoy here?

Bill, good evening - I have an orchestral version of the Poeme w/ Dutoit & the Montreal Orch (on Decca but a BMG 'freebie' for me) - pretty good reviews, although I'd like to here some others; a more interesting disc is the one below (left) - Poeme in a 'chamber' version (by the composer), along w/ some other beautiful chamber works (might be a cheap purchase from BRO?). 

Charles Griffes - check out the Naxos disc below (right) - CLICK on the image for a great 5* review by our own Scott Morrison - ignore the other review (3*; really ridiculous reasoning!) - Dave 

 

[jochanaan]

Is there a particular recording you enjoy here?

Not unless Colorado's own Gregory Walker has recorded it; I learned that piece by playing it in orchestra with Walker as soloist.

[Bogey]

Not unless Colorado's own Gregory Walker has recorded it; I learned that piece by playing it in orchestra with Walker as soloist.

Well then, get some studio time with KVOD it get on it man!  I'll stay "tuned".

[Grazioso]

For some more impressionism (among a variety of other styles) try the great, yet sadly neglected, Lili Boulanger: