Clair de Lune Analysis

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Instructions

1. Read A Critical Focus: Exploring Claude Debussy’s “Clair de Lune” at the end of Chapter 6.

2. Carefully listen to the song “Clair de Lune” and critically examine its components, style, context, and influence.
Listen for and try identifying at least TWO basic elements of music
described in Chapter 6.

3. Read the essay “Musical Impressionism: The Early History
of the Term” by Ronald L. Byrnside from The Musical Quarterly, Vol. 66,
No. 4 (October, 1980), pp. 522-537, published by Oxford University
Press.

4. Now that you’ve carefully examined and researched the work of music, write a new thread of at least 200 words, in which you:

  • Describe Claude Debussy’s “Clair de Lune” analytically. In doing
    this, identify at least TWO basic elements of music described in Chapter
    6 (section 6.1) “The Basic Elements of Music”.
  • Explain whether “Clair de Lune” is Apollonian or Dionysian, and provide evidence supporting your argument.
  • Knowing that “Clair de Lune” belongs to a musical school known as
    Impressionism (based on your research) describe the similarities and
    differences between Impressionism as an artistic movement (as we learned
    about in Module 5) and as a movement in music. Use evidence from “Clair
    de Lune” and your exploration of Impressionism to support your
    arguments.
  • Be sure to use and cite “Musical Impressionism: The Early History of
    the Term” by Ronald L. Byrnside and/or another essay you have already
    found and read as a research source article concerning the musical
    school and movement known as Impressionism.