The Background of Impressionism in Music

Bach is known by many to be the father of Western classical music (Thomas). Bach layed the foundation of fundamental western music theory in elements such as rhythm, harmony, and melody (Thomas). Bach composed in the Baroque period of music but his influence resonated throughout the Classical and Romantic period (Thomas). The classical period had composers such as Mozart and Beethoven, while the Romantic period had composers such as Schubert and Chopin (Thomas). Even though Chopin composed half a century before Debussy they had similar styles (Devoto 465). Chopin and Debussy had similar styles of composition with their use of interesting harmonic intervals to embellish the melody and create an unusual sound not common at the time (Devoto 465). Following the emotional style of the romantic period, Impressionism composers started to arise and change the style of composition that was around for many years (Eschman 157). The Impressionism period started in France (Knight 1). The composers in France wanted to break free from the accepted tradition of the time (Knight 1). The first composer to do this was Claude Debussy (Ross). Debussy's early piece "Printemps" is regarded as one of the earliest Impressionistic pieces (Knight 4).