Online Course | Mondays, November 3 – 24, 2025 | 1:00 – 3:00 PM (ET)
Presented by the Barnes Foundation
Impressionism changed the way the world saw and heard art. Painters such as Monet, Renoir, and Degas captured fleeting moments of light and color on canvas, while composers like Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel transformed sound into shimmering landscapes of texture and nuance.
This November, the Barnes Foundation is offering a unique opportunity to explore these connections in a four-part online course, accessible to participants around the world. The course will not only compare the artistic innovations of Impressionist painters and composers but will also bring the music to life through the flute — the instrument that so often carried Debussy’s most atmospheric melodies.
The Flute as a Voice of Impressionism
The course is led by Mimi Stillman, one of today’s most admired flutists and a leading scholar of French music. Known for her insightful programs and dazzling performances, Stillman will guide participants through the sound world of Debussy, Ravel, and Fauré, pairing musical excerpts with close study of Impressionist paintings.
What makes this event truly special is the live flute performances woven into each class. The flute’s luminous tone — from misty, dreamlike passages to sparkling colors — mirrors the very essence of Impressionism, offering listeners an experience where art and music seamlessly intertwine.
Why This Series Matters
- Global Access – The course is entirely online, making it available to flutists, musicians, and art lovers everywhere.
- Educational Depth – Participants will sharpen listening skills, learn about cultural history, and gain tools to communicate more deeply about art and music.
- World-Class Faculty – Mimi Stillman brings both performance mastery and historical expertise, making her an exceptional guide to the French Impressionist world.
- Series Format – With four sessions, there is time to explore, reflect, and connect ideas across art, music, and history.
Course Details
- Format: Online, four classes
- Dates: Mondays, November 3 – November 24, 2025
- Time: 1:00 – 3:00 PM (ET)
- Tuition: $220 | Members: $198
- Scholarships available
Learn more and register through the Barnes Foundation website.
A Rare Chance to Learn and Listen
For flutists, this series is a chance to experience Impressionism not just as history, but as a living sound world revealed through one of today’s finest performers. For music lovers everywhere, it offers the joy of connecting painting and music — two art forms that defined an era and continue to inspire us today.
See art differently. Hear music differently.
