planing

English era

Definition

The Impressionist technique of moving an entire chord or voicing in parallel motion without concern for traditional voice-leading or resolution.

Interpretive Guidance

Debussy's prélude language is saturated with planing. The chords slide rather than progress; the result is colour rather than direction. Do not play planing passages as if they were classical progressions seeking resolution.

Context

Scope Impressionist era term
Era Impressionist
Language English

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