Historia Folklore España

session 3 (28 september 2012)

From the 'Extra Bronnen/ Additional Sources MCG3A' read “The Symbolist Movement in France”

by Edward Lucie-Smith (Chapter 4 from his book Symbolist Art).

What are 'décadence', 'dandyism' and 'Satanism' and what are they a logical counterpart of?

Decadence was a movement initiated in France by the author J.K. Huysmans with his novel A Rebours (1884). Although it is different from the romantic interest in death, it praised the unhealthy and the unnatural.

Satanism was introduced by the same author with his next novel La-bas. According to Huysmans: “It was through a glimpse of the supernatural of evil that I first obtained insight into the supernatural of good”. The cult of Satanism was fascinated by the occult knowledge and the hermetic. It was part of a larger movement of esoteric involvement that was becoming popular at this era (theosophism, anthroposophism)

Dandyism was the intellectual and social snobbery exemplified in the personage of Count Robert de Montesqiou. The extravagant dressing was characteristic feature of the dandys, usually members of the aristocracy.

All movements were reactions to the scientific rationalism that dominated the world at those times and renounced the idea of spiritual and material progress. They were against the moralism of the epoch and expressed their opposition to the corruption of the political world.

How, according to Lucie-Smith, does Mallarmé describe the function of poetry? 

The function of Mallarme's poetry was to create a separate, independent, mystified reality that was as far as possible from the perceived everyday reality. The mystery was founded on the magical properties of the language and its capacity conceal the meaning of the poem. Mallarme's poetry resembled a lot to the world of dreams.

What qualities characterize Mallarmé's work according to Lucie-Smith?

According to Lucie-Smith Mallarme's poetry was deliberately ambiguous and hermetic, in the sense that he preferred make suggestions and allusions, rather than clear statements. The use of symbols sparks a reaction in the psyche. Furthermore, for Mallarme's poetry excluded the mundane reality and it rather existed on a parallel reality, which could support the intended atmosphere of mystery.

What is 'syntheticism'?

Synthesis was an important aspect of Symbolist art. It referred to the use of elements coming from the real world or other works of art in the Symbolist work of art. The intention was  to create a new world, a separate, autonomous reality through the combination of such elements.

Barbara Kelly, “Debussy's Parisian Affiliations”

on his relationship with authority:

   Debussy was a free spirit and of experimental nature. During his Conservatory years his innovative character became apparent through conflict with his teachers and the general musical establishment. He once declared to his harmony teacher that the only rule he had was his pleasure. He used to shock his classmates with the experimental harmonies he dared to try on the piano. However, as he wished to win the Rome prize, he decided to conform to the rules and composed a very conventional cantata to the amazement of his classmates. As he recalled later, that made his 'heart sink' and compromised his sense of freedom.

   Later, however, showed even more willingness to become part of the parisian establishment and find his way in the 'success market', although he was not convinced he could achieve that, as he revealed in a letter. He was a Member of Societe Musical, member of the Superior Council of the Conservatoire and accepted the order of Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur.  He refused to write an orchestral overture for the Institute, but only after he had returned from Rome. He withdrew his Fantasie for piano and orchestra when he found out that the Societe National intended to play only the first movement.