Impressionism

Originating in late 19th-century France as a reaction to German Romanticism's formal rigor, Impressionism prioritizes mood, atmosphere, and sensory evocation over strict narrative. The style is defined by its use of non-traditional scales like the whole-tone and pentatonic, unresolved dissonances, and fluid, ambiguous rhythms. Orchestrations emphasize timbre and color, employing woodwinds, harp, and celeste to create shimmering, translucent textures. Instead of depicting concrete realities, the music suggests ephemeral moments and natural scenes, profoundly influencing 20th-century classical harmony, jazz idioms, and the development of modern film scoring by establishing a language of pure sonic suggestion.