Abstract:
In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, several philosophical viewpoints served as catalysts for artistic (lingual, visual, and musical) fascination with elements of nature and natural surroundings. As one of these, water was a frequent source of creative inspiration; water’s characteristics and behavior also exemplified certain creative techniques in particularly painting and music. Examination of several of these philosophical viewpoints brings clarity to artists’ choice of water as a subject or backdrop for creative expression. In particular, the tenets of modernism and naturalism influenced much of the artistic creativity of this time period. Composed for solo piano by Maurice Ravel in 1901, Jeux d’eau rests in the context of these philosophical and artistic explorations. Elements of these philosophical viewpoints can be observed in several compositional techniques employed by Ravel in Jeux d’eau. Additionally, the influence of impressionist painting technique on compositional methods is evidenced throughout the work, as observed in several musical examples explored.
