Analysing and Recontextualising Musical Impressionism: Can the Works of Female Composers of the Early Twentieth Century Be Used to Inspire a New Generation?

The objective of this project of research is to discover the theoretical, compositional techniques found in the music of female composers of the early twentieth century in order to spark inspiration for three original contemporary pieces of music. Two pieces by Lili Boulanger were selected to be analysed and compositional devices were defined within. These compositional devices were employed to create three pieces of music which were then analysed under the same system of analysis to discover if old techniques can still be relevant today. The project is worthy of study as it analyses the features of a classical era which was groundbreaking at the time and influenced the trajectory of both classical and non classical music for decades after. The project is viewed through a feminist lens, with the secondary aim being to highlight relatively unknown pieces and female composers whose accolades were stunted by a patriarchal musical society.