BRSO’s performance of ‘The Pendulum Swings’ April 26 explores contrasting art movements

Tonight, the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra is going back to a time when music was defined by color, suggestion and atmosphere with its performance of “The Pendulum Swings: Impressionism-Postmodernism.”

The program will include performances of Alfred Schnittke’s “String Quartet No. 3,” Maurice Ravel’s “String Quartet in F Major” and Claude Debussy’s “String Quartet in G Minor, Op. 10.” All three composers were prominent figures in the Impressionist musical movement and the ensuing postmodernism movement during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Following in the footsteps of their artistic counterparts, Impressionist composers relied on the timbre of the music—otherwise known as color—which can be achieved through ambiguous tonality, extended harmonies, extra-musicality and parallel motions to convey moods and emotions. 

Debussy’s music gave rise to a group of rebels who spawned their own contrasting movement, postmodernism, which brought music back to logic, structure and reason.

The program is held as part of the Lamar Family Chamber Series. Tickets are $35 and may be purchased here.

BRSO presents “The Pendulum Swings: Impressionism-Postmodernism” at the First United Methodist Church tonight, April 26, 7:30-9:30 p.m. The church is at 930 North Blvd.