The Impressionist Period (1875-1920)

Your Impressionist Repertoire Choices

Monet's Rising Sun
  1. Debussy - The Little Shepherd
  2. Debussy - The Golliwogg's Cakewalk
  3. Debussy - Clair de lune
  4. Satie - Gnossienne #1
  5. Satie - Gnossienne #3

Characteristics

Degas - The Reheasal (1873-1878)

During the last quarter of the 19th century and into the early 20th century, many composers were experimenting and trying new ideas in their music. The term impressionism was first used to describe paintings in which the picture, instead of showing details, gave an impression of the object. In music, Impressionism refers to pieces that blur traditional tonal progressions and convey a mood rather than trying to describe specific ideas and details.

The great Impressionist artists include Claude Monet, Edouard Manet, Edgar Degas and Auguste Renoir. Notice the importance of nature, mood and light in the painting Sun Rising by Monet (above). The Rehearsal by Degas, represents the way Impressionists enjoyed painting ordinary activities and people (left).