Level 3 · Course 29
Analyse comparative du répertoire
Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionist — 5 historical periods and their harmonic signatures, illustrated by one melody harmonized 5 different ways.
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Pause Culture · Evolution of harmonic language
Claude Debussy (1862–1918)
Debussy refused to be called 'impressionist'. He preferred 'French musician'. But when asked about his harmonic rules, he replied: 'My pleasure is my rule.' Paradoxically, his appa…
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À retenir : To break free from the rules, you must first master them perfectly.
The evolution of harmonic language
From the Baroque to Impressionism, harmonic language passed through 5 major stylistic periods. Each redefines the relationship to dissonance, resolution and tonal functions. Click a period to explore it.
Identification criterion: what is the relationship to the dominant? Bach: mandatory — Mozart: assertive and economical — Schubert: enriched — Wagner: suspended — Debussy: absent.