what is the musical equivalent of Impressionism?

[inverseroom]

the Books

I love the Books

[ubertar]

the Books

I love the Books

You should, you're a writer.

[joelpatterson]

does that mean we need to keep an eye on you around the pages???

[NewAndImprov]

My first thought is the pattern-based minimalism of people like Terry Riley and Steve Reich,

[???????]

Well, there was a movement in music in the early 20th c. called Impressionism. Wikipedia it!

[lukievan]

I vote for the Miles Davis Quintet from the mid-60's with Ron Carter, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter and Tony Wiliams. Some of the most remarkable group interplay ever. Although the compositions have strong themes and the playing is souful and passionate, their is something very non-linear going on; Wayne Shorter's melodies (he wrote much of the material) are elliptical and slippery, and the harmonic structure can sometimes feel bit ambiguous and unresolved, in a good way.
The structure on the earlier albums (i.e. E.S.P., Miles Smiles) tends to be traditional, in that the group plays a theme, they take turns soloing, and then return to the theme. But within that structure is a telepathic improvisatory interplay that gives each moment the sense of being both free of device or cliche and like it was absolutely meant to be played just that way. On later albums, like Nefertiti and Filles de Kilamanjaro, the group dispenses with the soloing and just plays themes, over and over, reinterpreting them each go-round with different harmony, rhythm, inflection, intent. I think some of the music this group played together fits the Impressionistic label, although it generates a bit more heat than some of the visual artists do.
Also check out keyboardist Joe Zawinul - his stuff with Miles but also early Weather Report (with Wayne Shorter) is even more smeared and blurry and borders on ambient. Rhodes piano as paintbrush.

[rhythm ranch]

Granular synthesis.

[;ivlunsdystf]

How about that radio static between the stations.

[red cross]

Spirit of Eden.

[RefD]

Deerhoof.

*limps away leaving trail of gnawed and greasy satay skewers*

[xSALx]

I vote for the Miles Davis Quintet from the mid-60's with Ron Carter, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter and Tony Wiliams. Some of the most remarkable group interplay ever. Although the compositions have strong themes and the playing is souful and passionate, their is something very non-linear going on; Wayne Shorter's melodies (he wrote much of the material) are elliptical and slippery, and the harmonic structure can sometimes feel bit ambiguous and unresolved, in a good way.
The structure on the earlier albums (i.e. E.S.P., Miles Smiles) tends to be traditional, in that the group plays a theme, they take turns soloing, and then return to the theme. But within that structure is a telepathic improvisatory interplay that gives each moment the sense of being both free of device or cliche and like it was absolutely meant to be played just that way. On later albums, like Nefertiti and Filles de Kilamanjaro, the group dispenses with the soloing and just plays themes, over and over, reinterpreting them each go-round with different harmony, rhythm, inflection, intent. I think some of the music this group played together fits the Impressionistic label, although it generates a bit more heat than some of the visual artists do.
Also check out keyboardist Joe Zawinul - his stuff with Miles but also early Weather Report (with Wayne Shorter) is even more smeared and blurry and borders on ambient. Rhodes piano as paintbrush.

Sketches of Spain comes to mind when thinking of impressionism.

[lg]

+2 spirit of eden.

erik satie, cage (the early prepared piano stuff, though there's more than a bit of jean arp in there as well).

[logancircle]

But what is the visual-art equivalent of modern jam bands like Phish and moe? Jackson Pollack would be way too far-out, right?

[ubertar]

But what is the visual-art equivalent of modern jam bands like Phish and moe? Jackson Pollack would be way too far-out, right?

Pollock makes me think of Ornette Coleman.
Jam bands probably correspond to paintings that are hanging in coffee shops somewhere, not museums or galleries.

[???????]

But what is the visual-art equivalent of modern jam bands like Phish and moe? Jackson Pollack would be way too far-out, right?

Pollock makes me think of Ornette Coleman.
Jam bands probably correspond to paintings that are hanging in coffee shops somewhere, not museums or galleries.

Wow, that's the snottiest thing I've ever heard!

Not that I disagree.

I don't get the thing about Ornette though. I think most of the 'outness' ascribed to him is projected. The double quartet album was pretty progressive, but lots of the most popular stuff (shape of jazz to come etc) is very tuneful, melodic, and consonant. Dare I say "boppish?" I think the conventional wisdom calling Coleman "avant" is like 30 years outdated.

How 'bout the late great Derek Bailey for the Pollack comparison?