HyperMusic -- History of Classical Music: 20th Century

Impressionist Music

(20th Century 2)

A 20^th century offshoot of Romantic music is a type of program music called impressionist music. However, where Romantic music is like a sharp, clear picture of a friend, impressionist music is like a blurry, vague painting of the same friend.

The most famous composers of impressionist music were Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel. Due to his theoretical innovations, Debussy was regarded as a radical in his composition classes at the the famous Paris Conservatory of Music. One of his best known works is Prelude to "the Afternoon of a Faun."

			Sound Examples (info)
MIDI	RA 389Kb	MP3 482Kb	Debussy, Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune

Credits:

Prelude to the afternoon of a faune, MIDI sequence by David Mitchell
from Classical MIDI Connection
Claude Debussy, "Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune"; Ravel/Gershwin/Debussy/Barber; Eduard Levine, Amsterdam Promenade Orchestra; Digital Concerto;
©1989, B.C.D. C.V. (CCT 612)

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History of Classical Music

Impressionist Music

(20th Century 2)

Sound Examples

Credits: