Impressionism was a musical movement that took place at

the end of the 1800s and the beginning of the 1900s. It

was not a separate era, like the Romantic era, but rather
a smaller style used by only a few composers. Most
impressionist music was written in France or Western
Europe.
Impressionist music is written to create an atmosphere.
It focuses on conveying the moods and emotions aroused
by the subject rather than a detailed tonepicture.
The two most well known impressionist composers are
Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel.
 Impression, Sunrise by Claude Monet
Impressionism was also an art movement.
Mood is the feeling and
character of the music.
 Joyful Aggressive
Sad Bleak
Angry Funny
Lively Dreamy
Animated Eerie
Mysterious Gloomy
Sweetly Magical
Calm Quirky
Relaxed Spooky
Sentimental Urgent
was born in 1862. He learned to play the piano as a
young boy. In his life he wrote many songs for the
piano, orchestra, string instruments,
and singers.

This song is part of a bigger piece

called Childrens Corner, which he
wrote for his daughter. The songs
are meant to represent childhood.
Some of the other songs are
Jimbo's Lullaby, Serenade
for the Doll,and Golliwoggs
Cakewalk.
1. What is the only instrument that
you hear?
2. Is this piece joyful, sad, lively or
calm? (choose one or more)
3. If you could rename this song,
what wintery title would you give
it? Why?
Maurice Ravel was born in 1875 in France. He
began piano lessons at the age of 6 and quickly
became an excellent pianist. Ravel is
remembered as one of the most well
known Impressionist composers.
This piece, The Valley of Bells, is
from a larger suite for solo piano
titled Miroirs. It is the last of the
five movements and is written to
evoke the image of bells sounding.
1. How would you describe the
speed or tempo of this piece?
2. List one word to describe the
feeling or mood of this piece.
3. Did you enjoy listening to this
piece? Why or why not?
 Schubert was born in 1797.
During his short life he wrote over
600 songs.
This song, Der Leiermann, means
the Organ-grinder. It is about a
street performer who plays his
musical instrument, and even in
the cold winter when no one
listens to him, he still plays. He
has a smile and is not sad, he just
keeps on playing.
1. What two instruments do you hear?
2. Is the mood of this piece lively,
aggressive, or gloomy?
3. Tell about a time when you saw
someone performing on the sidewalk.
Were they singing, playing an
instrument, dancing or
doing something else? Were
they happy to be there?
was born in 1862. He learned to play the piano as a
young boy. In his life he wrote many songs for the
piano, orchestra, string instruments,
and singers.

This piece comes from Debussys

first book of piano preludes. Its
inspiration may have come from a
painting of a snowy landscape.
1. List one word to describe the
quality or timbre of the piano.
2. How would you describe the mood
of this piece?
3. What is one thing you would add to
this piece to enhance the mood?
Why?
Vivaldi was born in 1678. He learned to play
the violin when he was very young.

This piece, Winter, is part of

a bigger work called The Four
Seasons, which has four parts
for the four seasons. It was
written in 1720 during the
Baroque era.
1. In the beginning the strings are
featured. Are their notes separate and
detached or smoothly connected?
2. Is this played by a marching band, a
choir, or an orchestra?
3. A violin uses quick notes to glide up and
down the musical scale. Some
listeners think this sounds like an
ice skater gliding up and down the
ice. What other picture does it
bring to your mind?
The Mamas & the Papas
were an American folk
rock group in the
1960s. The song
California Dreamin was
written in New York
and meant to express
the singers longing for
California during a cold
winter.
1. Is the style of this song jazz,
gospel, or rock?
2. List one word to describe the
mood or feeling of this piece.
3. The writers of this piece dream
about warm and sunny California on
a winters day. What do you dream
about when the weather is cold
and frigid?