Piano Pronto 5 Pavane by Ravel and Impressionistic Music

 This post includes activities that correlate with Pavane Pour Une Infante Defunte by Ravel in Piano Pronto 5.

Music Sample and History

Pavane for a Dead Princess

Pavane for a Dead Princess Orchestra

Ravel was kicked out of music school because he could not meet their competitive requirements. He later composed this pavane (slow dance) which became famous when he performed it with his music group, "The Apaches." (Classics for Kids.com Ravel). 

He gave memorable advice for choosing a tempo. 

Impressionistic Music

"Impressionist music aims to create shifting moods and atmospheres by experimenting with timbre, orchestration, and harmonic concepts." Using the damper pedal can help you blend harmonies in this piece for a impressionistic effect. 

What is impressionism?

Technique

How to Pedal Impressionistic Music by Kate Boyd (Start at 7:30)

Improvisation

This piece, composed by Ravel, has an impressionistic style. Impressionistic music evokes a mood, atmosphere, or feeling rather than telling a strict story. The form is often less repetitive and predictable than music from the classical period and also includes flexible tempos (rubato). 

Listen to some sample improvisations below and then create your own improvisation in impressionistic style. 

Moonrise

Cathedral

Pagoda

Private Music

Ocean Without a Shore

Quiet Voices

Colors of Seven

Supplementary Impressionistic Music

Glistening Willow by Dennis Alexander  in Keys to Stylistic Mastery Book 1

Osaka Castle Garden by Dennis Alexander in Keys to Stylistic Mastery Book 1

Supplementary Music in the Key of F Minor

Swords of Shannon by Andrea Dow in WK Performance Pop 3

Open Spaces by Andrea Dow in WK Performance Pop 3

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