how an american impressionist looked beyond classical music's european roots
AMERICAN COMPOSER Charles Griffes (1884-1920, AND pronounced GRIFF-fiss) was one of approximately 2 American Impressionists. AS AWESOME AS THE fRENCH IMPRESSIONIST MOVEMENT WAS, IT DIDN'T STRAY VERY FAR FROM FRANCE.
One of the THINGS that the Impressionists liked was TO INCLUDE the use of “exotic” ELEMENTS IN THEIR WORK. Things like whole tone scales, pentatonic scales, and modes were really their thing. aLL OF THIS STUFF WAS MUCH MORE A PART OF EASTERN AND FOLK MUSIC RATHER THAN WESTERN "CLASSICAL" MUSIC. It makes sense, then, that the Impressionists were also interested in OTHER including elements of cultures outside of their own in their music AS WELL. Griffes wrote music honoring the music and poetry of China and Japan, and, because of his american roots, he was also drawn to the music of Native Americans. This was unusual, because most composers, when looking for national influences in american music, looked primarily to blues and jazz. Griffes' attention to the rich musical tradition of the native population of america was an important acknowledgement of america's first folk music.
His STRING QUARTET “2 sketches BASED ON INDIAN THEMES” wAS actually ORIGINALLY 5 sketches, but Griffes died (of influenza during the pandemic) before any of them were published. His publisher chose 2 to publish after his death.
The first, according to Griffes’ notes, is based on a Chippawa farewell song, the second has no accompanying notes to tell us what it is based on.
While an argument could be made here for cultural appropriation - that a white guy taking Native American music and kind of “european-ising” it is problematic - I think it is equally valid to say that Griffes’ appreciation for the compelling music of the Native Americans WAS MEANINGFUL AND INSPIRATIONAL TO HIM. While THIS WORK is not 100% authentic, it has value both as a compelling composition and as a reminder of the value of THE MUSIC OF THE Native AmericanS.
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