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Chopin and His Europe - Warsaw Invites the World
Celebrating its 20th anniversary the festival “Chopin and His Europe” included the thematic title “And the Rest of the World”, featuring world-renowned pianists and international and national top ensembles and orchestras. As usual the event explored Chopin's music through diverse perspectives, spanning four centuries of repertoire. Piano Street presents a selection of concerts videos including an interview with the festival’s founder, Chopin Institute’s Stanislaw Leszczynski. Read more >>

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Topic: Other impressionist composers? (Besides Debussy and Ravel) (Read 4920 times)

billym

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Other impressionist composers? (Besides Debussy and Ravel)

on: April 19, 2021, 05:12:19 AM

Everyone knows Debussy and Ravel, but I am wondering if there are any other notable composers that are part of the impressionism movement...

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You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. It's solid advice tbh.

anacrusis

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Re: Other impressionist composers? (Besides Debussy and Ravel)

Reply #1 on: April 19, 2021, 10:12:35 AM

Those are the leaders, but I'd argue many composers both before and after them have dipped into an impressionism aesthetic. Some late Liszt works could be seen as impressionistic, some of Scriabin's work before he went off the rails, Albéniz maybe. I view Satie as a mainly impressionistic composer, though some people would disagree.

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roncesvalles

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Re: Other impressionist composers? (Besides Debussy and Ravel)

Reply #2 on: April 19, 2021, 11:25:57 AM

Charles Tomlinson Griffes
Middle period Karol Szymanowski
Paul Dukas, Gustav Samazeuil, Florent Schmitt, Gabriel Dupont, Gabriel Grovlez. There are many more composers in France and Belgium who were influenced by it, and many composers whose works at one time were in the style. It other countries it takes a different form, where national characteristics were infused with some impressionism techniques, but perhaps not in a way to render the composers. Egon Wellesz of the suite "Der Abend" shows certain similarities, as does Joseph Marx of 6 Piano Pieces. Mompou in Spain. In Italy Respighi and Malipiero (most noticeably in the Preludi Autunnali, which however dramatizes a different kind of affect than the typical dreamy impressionist piece) used its techniques. Russia has plenty of composers aware of the movement and influenced by it (Scriabin, Feinberg, early Prokofiev, Melkikh, early Lourie, Roslavets, Grigori and Alexandr Krein), but oddly one of the most typically impressionist Russian composers came after the movement's heyday with Julian Krein (I believe Grigori's son) who was partly educated in France and influenced by Ravel and Debussy. If you deep dive into music of the era, it's something that was at least dabbled in every country, although if we were purists about definitions its most wholehearted formulations were in France, Belgium (and maybe the UK).

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chechig

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Re: Other impressionist composers? (Besides Debussy and Ravel)

Reply #3 on: April 19, 2021, 12:31:37 PM

Some works by Delius

Most C.Scott

Some works by Tailleferre

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billym

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Re: Other impressionist composers? (Besides Debussy and Ravel)

Reply #4 on: April 19, 2021, 03:18:31 PM

Quote from: anacrusis on April 19, 2021, 10:12:35 AM

Those are the leaders, but I'd argue many composers both before and after them have dipped into an impressionism aesthetic. Some late Liszt works could be seen as impressionistic, some of Scriabin's work before he went off the rails, Albéniz maybe. I view Satie as a mainly impressionistic composer, though some people would disagree.

Interesting perspective. I've never thought of Satie as impressionist, that makes a lot of sense honestly- I've always had trouble figuring out where the guy fits in with the history of music. I think I disagree about Albeniz, I've always thought his music seems to more appropriately fit within the late-romantic vein, similar to the likes of Granados. Maybe I should listen to some Albeniz again today with your perspective in mind.

Roncesvalles, that's a lot of names. I'll have to check some of those out, thanks for such a detailed reply!

Chechig, I'll have a look at those as well. Thanks for the recommendations.

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You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. It's solid advice tbh.

edvond

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Re: Other impressionist composers? (Besides Debussy and Ravel)

Reply #5 on: April 19, 2021, 04:24:11 PM

American composer, Anton Bilotti.

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kitty on the keys

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Re: Other impressionist composers? (Besides Debussy and Ravel)

Reply #6 on: April 20, 2021, 04:28:24 AM

Ibert

kitty on the keys

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Kitty on the Keys
James Lee

klavierking

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Re: Other impressionist composers? (Besides Debussy and Ravel)

Reply #7 on: May 05, 2021, 01:40:48 AM

I recently discovered Jean Roger-Ducasse's music and like it a lot. I've heard him described as a "more muscualr Debussy." Here's Barcarolle No.1 (I couldn't get the video to embed.):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99jS5OYaVvI&list=OLAK5uy_n7gbhc8P3-sVrsZWCJuyXjP0Jfj01Gvj0

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dogperson

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Re: Other impressionist composers? (Besides Debussy and Ravel)

Reply #8 on: May 05, 2021, 03:43:04 AM

Quote from: klavierking on May 05, 2021, 01:40:48 AM

I recently discovered Jean Roger-Ducasse's music and like it a lot. I've heard him described as a "more muscualr Debussy." Here's Barcarolle No.1 (I couldn't get the video to embed.):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?yv=99jS5OYaVvI&list=OLAK5uy_n7gbhc8P3-sVrsZWCJuyXjP0Jfj01Gvj0

Wonderful music! Do you know if the scores are published as ‘preludes’ or ‘etudes’?
I really need to find the scores to add to my ever-growing stack of music to play

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klavierking

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Re: Other impressionist composers? (Besides Debussy and Ravel)

Reply #9 on: May 05, 2021, 04:25:30 AM

Quote from: dogperson on May 05, 2021, 03:43:04 AM

Quote from: klavierking on May 05, 2021, 01:40:48 AM
I recently discovered Jean Roger-Ducasse's music and like it a lot. I've heard him described as a "more muscualr Debussy." Here's Barcarolle No.1 (I couldn't get the video to embed.):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?yv=99jS5OYaVvI&list=OLAK5uy_n7gbhc8P3-sVrsZWCJuyXjP0Jfj01Gvj0

Wonderful music! Do you know if the scores are published as ‘preludes’ or ‘etudes’?
I really need to find the scores to add to my ever-growing stack of music to play
Try this site: https://www.pianorarescores.com/archive/jean-roger-ducasse-piano-sheet-music/

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dogperson

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Re: Other impressionist composers? (Besides Debussy and Ravel)

Reply #10 on: May 05, 2021, 11:27:20 AM

deleted

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nanabush

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Re: Other impressionist composers? (Besides Debussy and Ravel)

Reply #11 on: May 13, 2021, 07:07:45 PM

Deodat de Severac has two really awesome pieces that I saw someone perform (among other lesser known impressionist works).

*Les Naiades et le Faune Indescret

*Baigneuses au Soleil

Check both those pieces out, I find them incredibly interesting

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Interested in discussing:

-Prokofiev Toccata
-Scriabin Sonata 2

anacrusis

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Re: Other impressionist composers? (Besides Debussy and Ravel)

Reply #12 on: May 13, 2021, 09:00:51 PM

Quote from: nanabush on May 13, 2021, 07:07:45 PM

Deodat de Severac has two really awesome pieces that I saw someone perform (among other lesser known impressionist works).

*Les Naiades et le Faune Indescret

*Baigneuses au Soleil

Check both those pieces out, I find them incredibly interesting

Those are cool! Never heard of this composer. Does he have more pieces?

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dogperson

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Re: Other impressionist composers? (Besides Debussy and Ravel)

Reply #13 on: May 13, 2021, 09:57:20 PM

Quote from: anacrusis on May 13, 2021, 09:00:51 PM

Those are cool! Never heard of this composer. Does he have more pieces?

I am quite enamored by his compositions , as well so I bought the anthology klavierking linked in his post

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kuudere

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Re: Other impressionist composers? (Besides Debussy and Ravel)

Reply #14 on: May 27, 2021, 07:40:07 AM

Frédéric Chopin's work can be considered as early impressionistic; for example, "Torrent Étude."

Starting at measure 36 of the sheet music, Chopin added a couple of musical passages that perfectly imitate the flow of water.

"Waterfall Étude" has this unique, ethereal sound to it which depicts the cascading sound of notes.

"Sunshine Étude" is beaming with energy, the right hand arpeggio pattern imitating the sunlight over a wonderful day, and the left hand narrating the story.

If you're looking for music that focuses entirely on impressionism, one Hungarian composer could be of your choice. Franz Liszt was a Romantic Era Classical composer that had developed a sense of impressionism in his older works. He was best friends with Frédéric Chopin.

Franz Lizst had composed a very contemplative, modern sounding piece called "Les Jeux D'Eaux À La Villa D'Este." Maurice Ravel was inspired by the smooth, watery quality of this piece, and composed "Jeux D'eau."

This pianist performs Liszt's "Les Jeux D'Eaux" excellently, bringing out the impressionistic and meditative qualities of the piece:

Full performance on Spotify:
Franz Liszt
https://open.spotify.com/track/3Y4Zm4hS66X3XSF1SmFNnR

(Here is a link to the story behind this piece, and why Liszt made it): https://www.halleonard.com/product/51480983/les-jeux-deaux-a-la-villa-deste

Another one of Liszt's works that can be considered as impressionistic is called "Chasse Niege Étude." You could get the shivers from the icy gales depicted in his etude.

Phenomenally performed by Russian pianist, Trifonov:

Franz Liszt is often misunderstood, his work being usually seen as virtuosic and "messy."

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dogperson

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Re: Other impressionist composers? (Besides Debussy and Ravel)

Reply #15 on: May 27, 2021, 11:46:26 AM

I would also recommend Albeniz and would add Charles Griffes.
FWIW: I would not consider Liszt impressionistic

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visitor

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Re: Other impressionist composers? (Besides Debussy and Ravel)

Reply #16 on: May 27, 2021, 02:47:17 PM

At the risk of sounding repitive since I've suggested this and these works in the past ,here's my contribution
I think maybe in the past only dogperson maybe sought these and purchased the score or perhaps now at my re urging may finally do so, those that invest in obtaining them won't be disappointed
I usually linked to the then only video of them /extant recording I knew of them at the time but I recently learned another painist I follow that lives on the fringes of the well known /less common works recently did them so brining much deserved and needed attention to his channel and playing

Michel Block remains one of my favorite pianist of the past for Chopin and especially Scriabin or two (his second sonata playing is IMHO the finest on yt and the best I have ever heard ,from anyone I'll link to that at the end as well)
I still highly recommend the Pianist John Bell Young recordings he did before the tragic events that later occured to him, he's an amazing person too and folks should read About him and seek past performances of him
Young also worked w Block when he recorded these too but let's give Wagner's playing a whirl

Block though not an Impressionist composer ,if say neo Impressionist ,think he's Impressionist in much the say way some might say Rachmaninoff was Romantic , not quite right but hints at what's right

This suite of pieces is beautiful and I was relearning them the other day and after Wagner's recordings decided I'll likely add to my assignment for Fall term w my professor

Enjoy ,do also read bio for Block and the crazy events at the first Chopin competition, Aggerich is famous for a stir at one of them later but I think Blocks story is the real drama

John Bell Young

Video can be used to link to rest of suite

Block Scriabin 2

Ok
Some bonus neo Impressionist type stuff too I'll add to this or other replies as they come to me 〜(꒪꒳꒪)〜

Hamauzu , my own performance from years ago

shimomura ,she isn't as Debussy /Ravel and jazzy as hamauzu but she did have some Satie moments as evidenced In the b section of this transcription of her themes ,nice stuff in first section too but not as overlty *Frenchy* as the Namine section in the middle and back end of the price, another of my oldies lol

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https://tinyurl.com/danbo-de-piano-part-deux
https://twitter.com/DeDanbo?s=09

dogperson

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Re: Other impressionist composers? (Besides Debussy and Ravel)

Reply #17 on: May 27, 2021, 03:50:00 PM

Thanks Visitor for posting the Mikel Block again😊 this has been a tough year, and I need something new to learn that will inspire me. These vignettes fit the bill

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visitor

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Re: Other impressionist composers? (Besides Debussy and Ravel)

Reply #18 on: May 27, 2021, 05:47:21 PM

Quote from: dogperson on May 27, 2021, 03:50:00 PM

Thanks Visitor for posting the Mikel Block again😊 this has been a tough year, and I need something new to learn that will inspire me. These vignettes fit the bill

Sharing is caring !♪ \(^ω^\ )

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https://tinyurl.com/danbo-de-piano-part-deux
https://twitter.com/DeDanbo?s=09

krncandi

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Re: Other impressionist composers? (Besides Debussy and Ravel)

Reply #19 on: April 07, 2022, 06:55:58 PM

Some of Szymanowski's earlier works past his romantic period , Delius,Dukas,Faure, Milhaud, Samazeuilh, Satie, Ibert, Guy Ropartz, Gabriel Dupont, Honegger, Griffes,de Severac, and Ernest Fanelli are some impressionists I can think of. Faure borders between romantic and early impressionist. Ernest Chausson is another impressionist as well

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krncandi

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Re: Other impressionist composers? (Besides Debussy and Ravel)

Reply #20 on: April 07, 2022, 06:58:33 PM

Also Florent Schmitt who wrote Ombrés which is so difficult that it's at the difficult level of Gaspard de la Nuit... but it's sadly obscure

phenomenal piece though. I'd also add Albeniz and De Falla as well

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anacrusis

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Re: Other impressionist composers? (Besides Debussy and Ravel)

Reply #21 on: April 08, 2022, 10:37:06 PM

Wow those are some more obscure names! You should get along well with forum regular "visitor", who seems to know every single unknown piece by every single unknown composer in the world!

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