Impressionistic composers

[fnork]

I came to think of one thing recently, that I'm basically only familiar with the most famous impressionistic composers; Ravel and Debussy. I'm quite sure that there are other good impressionistic composers as well, but I don't know about them. Could anyone with more insight tell me what composers I should check out, and perhaps what pieces I could play? Ravel is one of my favourite composers, and I've played his sonatine, prelude from Le tombeau de couperin and the valse in Borodins style. I've also played some debussy, but just his most famous pieces like clair de lune or the first arabesque.

[ted]

The music of Frank Bridge and John Ireland contains strong impressionist elements.

[DarkWind]

Not sure if he is fully impressionistic, but the music of Albert Roussel is definetely worth checking out. Among other "impressionists" would be Cyril Scott, Griffes, Satie, d'Indy(not that much, but reminiscent of some impressionists. In fact I heard he was totally opposed to it), and a few others whose names escape me.

[pianowelsh]

Faure, Chabrier are definately ones you need to check out! particularly 10 pittoresque Chabrier and the beautiful barcarolles of Faure.

[Floristan]

...and Delius, though I don't know of any piano compositions.

[DarkWind]

Faure, Chabrier are definately ones you need to check out! particularly 10 pittoresque Chabrier and the beautiful barcarolles of Faure.

I would refrain from saying Faure is impressionistic. Rather, he borders on Romantic and Impressionistic, not swaying completely to any side. Really unique. And Chabrier, he is NOT ONE BIT Impressionistic. Might as well call Mozart or Stockhausen Impressionistic. Rather, Chabrier is a really late romantic that helped give lots of the future French composers break away from Wagnerian influences.

Either way, I demand you to check Chabrier. He is one of the most amazing composers I have met, yet he is highly neglected. Listen to his Bourree Fantasque, Impromptu, and Espana, for starters.

[doug]

Erik Satie!

Difficult, but rewarding.  You won't regret it

[doug]

It's a little off topic, but I live on the edge...

Has anyone ever heard of Danny Elfman?  I always wondered if he printed any piano compositions.  He is a brilliant composer of mostly hollywood movie themes, and is hands-down the best of his kind.  Take your pick......  Simpsons, Batman, Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, To die for, Planet of the Apes (Notice the Tim Burton trend that it appearing).  Anyway, he has some cd's out of his different arrangements that are just brilliant.  I have always been too lazy to check out if he has any written work around (Although I have found the piano version of the simpsons in a television theme songs book).  Anyone else a fan and/or know if there are additional compositiona of his for piano?

[anda]

i read in a larousse (and pls don't ask me which edition) that only debussy should be regarded as "impressionistic", while others (as ravel, de falla,...) should we only viewed as "impressionism-influenced"

one more thing - how about avant-la-lettre impressionists? and i would name here  mussorgski - for his short-brush-motif-by-motif technique, for his temporary-evolutive decriptions, etc. etc.

[pianowelsh]

Agreed Faure and Chabrier are not classed as 'impressionistic'  ;)but if you are specialising in this period I do think its important to study their work thoroughly . Debussy was greatly influenced by Faure and Ravel cited Chabrier as his greatest musical influence - in fact he quote him lots in music like La Valse and Gaspard! so to understand the style well worth studying!! and its beautifull music

[DarkWind]

Well, if we are going to look at all the influences of the composers, we might as well mention Bach, Mozart, and all those other fellows :p.  But honestly, Chabrier helped shape the impressionistic composers, although he didn't take part in them. Ravel said Chabrier was basically the most important composer in shaping French Music, and even went so far as to say that he would have rather written Chabrier's Le roi malgre lui rather than all of Wagner's Ring. Debussy was reduced to tears by Chartreuse verte, and at one time, Debussy tricked a conductor into playing Chabrier's Ode a la musique during rehearsal times just to hear such beautiful music. Even Stravinsky quoted from Chabrier's music. So did Cesar Franck. Either ways, Chabrier helped impressionism, but he didn't influence it in a terribly direct way. Heck, Liszt is a thousand times more impressionistic than Chabrier, as witnessed by lots of his later works. Ravel even said that most of the composers wouldn't be here would it not be for Liszt's incredible work. Either way, we cannot classify Chabrier as impressionistic, however, he is an interesting composer to study who's music deserves a ton of more attention. Dover has released a book featuring his music. I heavily recommend ordering it. Try the first and last pieces as a start. They are amazing.

[Op. 1 No. 2]

Actually, Ravel isn't really an impressionist.

[pianowelsh]

Impressionism is a weak term when relating it to music it is terribly imprecise. Basically most dictinaries suggest that the work has to be directly influneced by the artistic movement which used scientific placement of coloured dots to create an 'impression' when viewed from further back  - which in a musical sense dosen't actually happen and most also stress that the music is of France and 20th C (a very limited market) although we can all name composers of other eras and nationalities who use scientifically crafted musical techniques to elude to a pictographic emotion in music. Liszt certainly does evoke images through some of his music as does Messiaen in his Vignt regards sur l enfant jesus and if you enjoy playing impression music i would suggest that you investigate his music too as his use of harmonic colour is phenominal

[DarkWind]

Well, no composer is actually Impressionistic, as most of them are filed under more specific categories than Impressionism, sort of like how some say Debussy is a Symbolist. I personally just use Impressionism to categorize that small era of time in France from around Satie to Ravel. Because really, Ravel is more of a neoclassicist as shown in works like Le Tombeau de Couperin, but he also mixes jazz infuences as seen in his Piano Concerto in G.

[pianowelsh]

Agreed! Its very difficult to pigeon hole music. Especially in the 20thC when there are SO many cross-influences. But can i suggest to origional poster that you can't go far wrong by first learning the complete works of Debussy (he wrote plenty) and Read Roy Howats excellent book on the subject!!! - i forget the title now (im sure someone will supply it!) inccidentally the new ouvre complete (Durand) ed Roy Howat has just been released in paper back  - a very interesting and tidy edition (the hard back though more expensive MUCH more expensive has full critical notes and alt versions of some pieces) it is supposed to be the BEST edition available now!?