Final answer:
Maurice Ravel's use of classical balanced phrase structures does not reflect the Impressionist style, which typically features more ambiguous tonality and form. Despite being influenced by Impressionism, Ravel incorporates classical forms with modern harmonies and textures.
Step-by-step explanation:
While Maurice Ravel is often associated with Impressionism, a characteristic of his music that does not reflect that style is his use of classical balanced phrase structures. Impressionist music, much like the corresponding art movement, often aimed to capture fleeting moments and atmospheric impressions with a lack of clearly defined forms and an ambiguous sense of tonality. Ravel, though influenced by Impressionism, retained more traditionally balanced and symmetrical phrase structures, which is aligned with classical composition techniques.
Impressionism in music generally sought to create hazy, atmospheric tone colors and featured chromatic, diffused melodies as well as ambiguous tonality.
However, Ravel's attention to structural precision and his use of classical forms like the sonata and concerto grosso were departures from the typical Impressionist approach. His melding of traditional forms with innovative harmonies and textures produces music that is distinctly unique, creating a bridge between Impressionist sensibilities and modernist tendencies.