- Re-read Take a Closer Look: Exploring Claude Debussy’s “Clair de Lune” in your textbook.
- Carefully listen to the piano piece “Clair de Lune” and critically examine its components, style, context, and
influence. Identify and describe TWO basic elements of music described in the required Module 6 textbook
pages. You may also wish to refer to the Module 6 Online Exploration resources as well as the required pages
in your textbook for Module 6. - 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 here in
Module 6. - Now that you’ve carefully examined and researched the work of music, write and submit the finished essay
using at least three fully developed paragraphs and at least 600 words, in which you:
Paragraph One: Describe Claude Debussy’s “Clair de Lune” analytically. In doing this, identify and discuss
TWO basic elements of music described in the Module 6 required textbook pages “The Basic Elements of
Music.”
Identify the “mood” of the song. What kind of “Impression” does it give you?
Explain whether “Clair de Lune” is Apollonian or Dionysian, and provide evidence supporting your argument.
Paragraph Two: 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. Note: The Janaro textbook does an excellent job
discussing Impressionism (see Chapter 5).
Paragraph Three: Conclude by commenting on whether you believe that Music and Visual Art should share an
artistic classification such as “Impressionism.” In other words, does referring to “Clair de Lune” (the song) and
Claude Monet’s “Impression Sunrise” (the painting) both as “Impressionism” make sense? Please provide
specific reasons for your answer with reference to Monet’s painting (see page 113 in your textbook for
painting). Make sure you discuss Monet’s painting in your essay.
Be sure to use and cite either “Musical Impressionism: The Early History of the Term” by Ronald L. Byrnside or
use and cite Chapter 5 from your textbook The Art of Being Human.
Sample Solution