| Universal Exposition of 1889 |
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| Monet: Impression; sunrise |
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Characteristic for Debussy
Parallel chord progressions
Lots of performance markings
Lack of a form
Motionless harmony rather than goal-centered preogressions
Used whole-tone, pentatonic, octatonic |
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The aim is not to express deeply felt emotions, but to evoke a mood, image, or feeling.
Characteristic of Debussy |
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1821-1867
“Correspondences” (1857)
“Les Fleurs du Mal” Collection
Everything has a double-meaning (symbolism) |
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means “joined senses”
Aromas, colors, and sounds blend
A symbol shows something more than it can literally express, providing access to knowledge
Ex: Baudelaire, “Correspondences” |
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Vyacheslav Ivanov (poet)
Symbols as the link between the world of senses in union with the divine
Universal, spiritual transformtions of society through arts and ecstatic rituals
Union with the Divine |
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Russia 1898-1915
Mystic Symbolism
Symbols as the link between the world of senses in union with the divine
Universal, spiritual transformations of society through arts and ecstatic rituals
Union with the divine |
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| Poet/philosopher (born 1866, Russia) Idea of Mystical Symbolism” Symbols as the link between the world of senses in union with the divine Universal, spiritual transformations of society through arts and ecstatic rituals |
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is a “mystery play”
unfunished – supposed to be performed in 1919
Music as prophesy, transcendence and breakthrough to new plane of consiousness
If it was performed, it would bridge the gap between us and the divine and the world would END. |
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| Satie, Trois Gymnopedies, no. 3, 1888 |
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| Debussy, “Voiles” from Preludes for Piano Book 1, 1909 |
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| Debussy, Pelleas and Melisande – Act 3 Scene 1, 1902 |
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Melisande leaning out of the window
Loves her half-brother, but can’t be with him
HAIR |
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| Scriabin, Vers la flame, op. 72, 1914 |
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| Baudelaire, “Correspondences” |
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High on opium!
2 planes of communication: Nature and Man
“Nature is a temple where living pillars… blah blah blah”
Poem about man walking through forrest and trees “knowing” things |
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