The French art song tradition, known as mélodie, developed between 1870 and 1914 into one of the most experimental art forms of its time. During this period, numerous piano works of high artistic merit were composed, though many composers remained in the shadow of more famous masters. Following the impact of the French Revolution, the Société nationale de musique was founded in 1871 to promote domestic musical creation and counter German musical dominance.
It is noteworthy that renowned French composers largely avoided the piano sonata. It was only around 1900 that Dukas dared to compose one, opening new avenues for subsequent generations. His sonata, enthusiastically received in 1901, unfolds musical ideas in each movement, ranging from anxious chromaticism to virtuosic passages, and boldly asserts itself within the French musical landscape.
In contrast to Dukas' more traditional approach, Abel Decaux created a series of extraordinary pieces between 1900 and 1907 with "Clairs de lune," which were not published until 1913. His harmonic and melodic innovations created a unique sound world beyond conventional tonality. By avoiding classical major and minor structures and employing unusual harmonies, Decaux crafted a fascinating soundscape that shows parallels to later works by Schoenberg and Messiaen—a significant, if often overlooked, chapter in French music history.