“IMPRESSION, SUNRISE” BY CLAUDE MONET. SOURCE: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS[/caption]

Paris, 1874 - a new era in art and music. Having grown tired of the traditions of academia, Claude Monet (1840-1926) and his contemporaries began painting while outdoors - focusing on nature and modern life with increased attention to light, bright colors, vague forms and moody scenery. It was to be known as impressionism. Developed as a counter-culture to academia and tradition, a similar movement happened simultaneously in music.

Claude Debussy (1862-1918) and Maurice Ravel (1875-1937) are the most well-known impressionistic composers. Perfecting their craft in Paris at the same time as Monet, they focused on colorful harmonies and fluid structure as a means of rejecting the strict traditions of 18th-century classical composition.

Similar to impressionistic painting, impressionistic music invokes moods rather than clear details. The instrumentation became experimental - using muted horns, the lower range of flutes and brighter instruments like the harp and triangle.

The term impressionism came from the title of Monet’s 1874 painting, “Impression, Sunrise.” Critics rejected it as looking unfinished and merely giving the “impression” of a painting. But the seemingly casual art style became popular, and the name stuck. Debussy famously rejected the term as a description of his music, preferring “symbolism” instead. Nevertheless, history regards him as an impressionist.

Unlike the composers of the centuries prior, Debussy was not inspired by religion. His inspiration was from nature itself. “To feel the supreme and moving beauty of the spectacle to which nature invites her ephemeral guests! … that is what I call prayer.” -Claude Debussy.

Debussy is most well known for his 1905 composition “Clair de Lune” - a relaxing piano piece that continues to be heard everywhere from the recital hall to movies. His piano music is outstanding, but I personally love his orchestral compositions, such as “Nocturnes” and “Prélude à l’aprèsmidi d’un faune” (Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun).

Jack Gaffney is a local musician and piano teacher. He can be reached at JackGaffney.com.