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ARABESQUE (CLASSICAL MUSIC)

Origins

The arabesque emerged as a part of the Classical Movement [create link] in music. The Classical Movement was defined by the return to classical forms of art from Greece and Rome, and in this case, Arab classical culture. It drew on the simplicity of the art and architecture to "avoid extravagant excess" in the music. It also takes inspiration from nature, with musical lines mirroring those found in nature. Despite returns to classical simplicity, the arabesque is a decorative piece with ornamentation. Lots of famous composers who composed pieces in the arabesque style, like Claude Debussy, were influenced by visual arts and culture.

French Salon Culture

Debussy composed his arabesques with French salon culture in mind. The French salon was interested in the 'other' including elements of Arabic culture; the arabesque performed in the salon was a product of this interest. Debussy's circle was heavily influenced by the arabesque in literature and visual arts. The peak of popularity for composing arabesques in the late 1800s demonstrates this. The arabesque, however, was not seen at the time as the most sincere form of musical expression; German poet Friedrich von Schlegel referred to the arabesque as "not a work of high rank".