Warmth on a Child’s Face

I have a varied opinion on the Impressionist style of art.  Some I enjoy and some I enjoy less, but do not entirely dislike.  I enjoy impressionist paintings that are done in warm tones and depict leisurely and comforting scenes. For example, as I was reading through the course material on Impressionism and completing the written assignment, I was caught by the painting Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose by John Singer Sargent.

He was awakened to the idea for the painting watching the children water lilies at the Lavington Rectory in Sussex in 1884.  The painting was completed in the autumns of 1885 and 1886 at the Farnham House and Russell House the Broadway homes of Frank Millet according to wetcanvas.com.

The element of the painting that held my attention was the reflection of light onto the faces of the young girls from the lanterns which they hold.  The scene feels real.  I can picture these girls hanging the lanterns in preparation for a party on a warm summer’s night.  This I enjoy, the warm feeling from the lanterns and the story it tells from a single snapshot.

I enjoy how the artist is able to alter the image in impressionism to depict his or her “impressions”.  Washing some details and cold cut lines for soft, blended tones and edges. Although, I do also enjoy the more realistic elements of former arts.  The Renaissance style of proportion, and detailed body lines.  However, those elaborate paintings are not exactly suitable for normal everyday decor in the home.  Perhaps this is the charm of Impressionism, it is suitable for everyday situations. Although, not all Impressionistic art appeals to me.  For example, I do not enjoy James McNeill Whistler’s Arrangement in Grey and Black: Portrait of the Painter’s Mother.

Arrangement in Grey and Black: Portrait of the Painter's Mother

Anna McNeill Whistler was with her son in London when she posed for him to complete this painting.  I like art to evoke joyous feelings or awe when I look at them, to me his painting is just dull and depressing.  Yes, I understand that not all art can be happy.  Impressionism has such a range of feelings, I simply enjoy the warm end of the spectrum.

Classical Piece

The musical composition that I chose to share is Symphony No. 104 “London” written by Franz Joseph Haydn.  This piece was written in London in 1795 and was performed at the King’s Theatre where many people were able to hear the beauty of his composition. To get started, lets give a little background on Haydn.  As was presented in the course material, Haydn was a musical servant to the Prince of Hungary, Esterhazy.  Not until after the Prince’s death was Haydn able to work freelance traveling and composing music in his own manner and under his own will.  However, according to essentialsofmusic.com Hayden did not feel that his creative spirit was stifled under the demand for composition from the Prince.  He instead insisted that he was able to explore his creativity while working daily with the musicians that would play his pieces.  And as wikipedia quotes he was “forced to become original”. Essentialsofmusic.com also described that Haydn grew in popularity even in his solitude.  As the overall popularity and availability of music began to spread in the Classical Era, Haydn was right there. His works were being published over the European countries and Haydn was being pursued to compose music for various performances in various cities.  The 104th Symphony was his final symphony, he had been living in London and composing music for the masses to hear.  This piece is very stimulating, in places the sound is heightened, but the drops to a soft, drawn out note only to heighten again.  It never grows dull, and gives enough variation of sound, speed, and intensity to keep the audience captivated without overpowering the senses.  I enjoy the strings through out the piece, but especially like the flutes that join in  and become noticable around the 5 minute 30 second mark of the attached video.

The piece I chose to study for the Baroque period is Johann Sebastian Bach’s Cantata 198: The Trauerode.  This piece was written for the funeral of the Queen Christiane Eberhardine of Poland.  Her story is very intriguing.  She was placed in self-exile because she refused to convert to Catholicism when her husband,Fredrich August, Elector of Saxony was chosen as king of Poland and became August II king of Poland.  Although she was in exile, her life was still lavish with wealth and she was considered royalty, carrying the title of Queen until her death in September 5th, 1727.  In interesting fact, her son, August III King of Poland, was the only legitimate of the king’s 267 children!

The lyrical portion was written by Johann Christoph Gottsched, and Bach was asked to compose the musical portion.  The piece was preformed at the ceremony on October 17th, 1727 so the duo had roughly a month to bring it all together.  I enjoy the piece because, although it is lengthy, it does not become boring.  Nor does it seem repetitive. Although it is a funeral piece, the Trauerode does not carry a dark or depressing feel. This fact stood out to me the most, it seemed light, while leaning toward solemn. The wind instruments at the beginning keep the piece airy while the voices bring the serious tone.