Claude Debussy

Claire de Lune
Musical Interpretation
Element
Harmony ambiguous harmonies and tonal centers
mixture of functional and non-functional progressions
rich chords
nonfunctional use of 7th and 9th chords
chord planning
parallel harmony

Rhythm complex and non-metrical rhythms.

melody over harmonic progression and rhythm

Pitch atonality (music that lacks a key or tonal center)

serialism (music based on formulaic orderings of the
twelve notes of the chromatic scale).
Post-atonal pitch
Melody melody over harmonic progression and rhythm
chordal melodies, enriched unisons
Texture subtle polyphony
transparent instrumental texture
Dynamics freed from direct dependence on tonal motion
relatively non rhythmic, melodically repetitive
delicate and subdued
Timbre organized around qualities of sound patterns
instrumental timbres
Tempo tempo rumbato(temporary disregarding of strict tempo to
allow an expressive quickening or slackening, usually without
altering the overall pace)

Reflection:

Maurice Ravel
 Bolero
Musical Interpretation
Element
Harmony organic harmony
similarly repetitive and unvarying
repetitions of melody, harmony, rhythm, and dynamics.
Rhythm innovative rhythms
constant rhythm
repetitions of melody, harmony, rhythm, and dynamics.

Pitch constant pitch

Melody wide intervallic relationships of perfect fifths and fourths

calm melody
repetitions of melody, harmony, rhythm, and dynamics.
melody never changes
Texture astonishing variety of constantly changing instrumental
combinations
Dynamics volume increases accordingly, from gentlest pianissimo to
grand fortissimo.
repetitions of melody, harmony, rhythm, and dynamics.
Timbre nearly silent beginning — the pianissimo drum tattoo,
pizzicato string chords suggestive of a guitar, and the melody
introduced by a flute in its low register
Tempo gradual tempo transformation

Reflection:

Claude Debussy
La Mer
Musical Interpretation
 Element
Harmony usage of whole tone scale
pentatonicism
chromaticism
more conventional
modal harmonies
Rhythm common triplet rhythms
aggregate rhythms

Pitch background melody plays lower-pitched, longer held notes

while the melodies on top are more stacatto and very high-
pitched
Melody short melodic fragments over muted strings
melody take shape and dematerialize almost before we can
recognize them, gesturally forming the impression of the
rocking waters and the sparkle of light.
Texture astonishing variety of constantly changing instrumental
combinations
Dynamics volume increases accordingly, from gentlest pianissimo to
grand fortissimo.
repetitions of melody, harmony, rhythm, and dynamics.
Timbre vibrating, oscillating, glimmering sound complex, caressing
the senses
opening marked at pp starts with strings and harps

Tempo gradual tempo transformation

Reflection: