How Did Debussy Influence The Composers Of The 20th Century
Debussy’s Influence Going Into The 20th Century
Dan Hall
001166142
Music 3580: History V
Dr. Paul Sanden
Dec 2, 2014
Throughout the nineteenth century composers were constantly searching for ways to create a style of music that was new and provided listeners with something different. The idea of tonality, although still one of the main focuses, was beginning to be changed and adapted, chromaticism was heightened, and the idea of rhythm and phrasing was completely rethought. As we look toward the final years of the nineteenth century and the beginning years of the twentieth we find that that this idea of change was still a focus. Claude Debussy was one on the many composers that bridged the gap between the two centuries. …show more content…
Debussy had this idea in mind when he composed the well-known piece “Prélude á lápres midi d’un faune” in 1894. This piece was the first of many masterpieces, and was a turning point for Debussy in that he had established his own distinct sound and style of composition. As we look at the music for this piece we see that the instruments are quite sporadic and unpredictable. Aside from the solo line, the others have completely separate and different entries, the repetition seems to be completely random and he also employs the use silence to help bring contrast to the music. It’s interesting because this entire score seems to be random and without any sort of pattern however there are two very distinct themes that are present throughout. As we move toward the end of the piece all this material previously mentioned is altered, whether it be different keys, additions of different pitches, the orchestration being changed or even the harmonies altered however these two themes are still distinct and continue to grow …show more content…
As time went on there came an interest in atonality that consisted of completely disregarding the traditional “rulebook” and just finding ways to make music. The very definition of music also began to be challenged and more and more composers pushed the limits. In terms of bridging the gap between the two centuries, Debussy was by far one of the more prominent figures and created music that was never before heard and possibly never even though of as music. He unfortunately passed away due to cancer but who knows what he could have done if he had been well for longer. I think Roger Nichols worded it well when he
Dan Hall
001166142
Music 3580: History V
Dr. Paul Sanden
Dec 2, 2014
Throughout the nineteenth century composers were constantly searching for ways to create a style of music that was new and provided listeners with something different. The idea of tonality, although still one of the main focuses, was beginning to be changed and adapted, chromaticism was heightened, and the idea of rhythm and phrasing was completely rethought. As we look toward the final years of the nineteenth century and the beginning years of the twentieth we find that that this idea of change was still a focus. Claude Debussy was one on the many composers that bridged the gap between the two centuries. …show more content…
Debussy had this idea in mind when he composed the well-known piece “Prélude á lápres midi d’un faune” in 1894. This piece was the first of many masterpieces, and was a turning point for Debussy in that he had established his own distinct sound and style of composition. As we look at the music for this piece we see that the instruments are quite sporadic and unpredictable. Aside from the solo line, the others have completely separate and different entries, the repetition seems to be completely random and he also employs the use silence to help bring contrast to the music. It’s interesting because this entire score seems to be random and without any sort of pattern however there are two very distinct themes that are present throughout. As we move toward the end of the piece all this material previously mentioned is altered, whether it be different keys, additions of different pitches, the orchestration being changed or even the harmonies altered however these two themes are still distinct and continue to grow …show more content…
As time went on there came an interest in atonality that consisted of completely disregarding the traditional “rulebook” and just finding ways to make music. The very definition of music also began to be challenged and more and more composers pushed the limits. In terms of bridging the gap between the two centuries, Debussy was by far one of the more prominent figures and created music that was never before heard and possibly never even though of as music. He unfortunately passed away due to cancer but who knows what he could have done if he had been well for longer. I think Roger Nichols worded it well when he