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The Romantic Period PDF
The Romantic Period PDF
1825- 1900
• "Romanticism" was brought about by the
social and political stresses following the
French Revolution, and the resulting
nationalistic trends.
• It was a period of dramatic thought and action,
also involving contradictions between capitalism
and socialism, freedom and oppression, logic and
emotion, science and faith. This resulted in a
change in the thinking of people, especially
creative artists.
• There was a general impatience with the
rules and restraints of Classicism, and
music "revolted" against the practices of
Mozart and Haydn.
• The goal was to be different and individualistic. The
ideal for the Romantic composer was to reflect his own
feelings and emotions in his compositions in order to
instill in the listener certain preconceived moods. The
expression of emotion and the "sparking" of the
imagination were a primary goal.
• The center of musical
activity shifted from
Vienna to Paris, and
musicians were no longer
attached to patrons.
However, while
composers during this
time did not write for the
lower classes, their music
was addressed to the
masses to a far greater
degree than before in the
history of music.
• Music became more and
more disassociated from real
life, while expressing the
splendor and pride of the
human spirit. In the effort to
capture audiences, a
dynamic and colorful
personality became an
important asset. The concert
manager, or "impresario" as
he was often called, was
also an important figure in
the business of music.
Another important person
behind the scenes of music
was the music critic.
• The Romantic era is known for its intense energy
and passion. The rigid forms of classical music gave
way to greater expression, and music grew closer to
art, literature and theatre.
• Beethoven pioneered Romanticism and expanded
previously strict formulas for symphonies and sonatas,
and introduced a whole new approach to music, giving
his works references to other aspects of life - for
example, his 'Pastoral' Symphony No. 6 describes
countryside scenes.
• As well as symphonies, the tone poem and
descriptive overture were popular as pieces of
stand-alone orchestral music that evoked anything
from a painting or poem to a feeling of nationalistic
fervour
What’s the difference between the
Classical and Romantic symphony?
Prominent Musical
Characteristics
Emotionalism: All music has some degree of
emotionalism. However, the Romantic composer
sought to intensify this aspect of his music. By
the use of chromaticism (progression by half
steps) in melodies and chords, and modulations
(changing keys) and by exploiting tension in the
music (by not resolving dissonances
immediately), the composer was to keep the
listener in a state of suspense for long periods of
time.
Prominent Musical
Characteristics
Nationalism: Composers were greatly influenced
by the intense nationalistic feelings that
developed after the Napoleonic wars. Some
composers were political outcasts (Chopin and
Wagner), while others promoted a love for their
country (Russian Five). The main areas of
nationalistic music during the nineteenth century
were Germany, Italy, France, Central Europe and
Russia.
Prominent Musical
Characteristics
Programmatic Compositions: The development
and use of descriptive music became an important
part of the Romantic movement. The trend from
the subjectivity of the composer to the
emotionalism in the listener was natural. As
mentioned previously, composers resorted to
"objective" devices in their music. The devices
included descriptive titles, melodic formulas,
harmonic cliches and instrumental effects.
Prominent Musical
Characteristics
Thick Timbre: The availability of improved
musical instruments allowed composers to
experiment with novel orchestral effects. The
timbre and texture of the orchestral color became
more evocative as the nineteenth century
progressed. The use of chromaticism and
dissonance led to a very complex orchestral
timbre by the end of the century:
Prominent Musical
Characteristics
Thick Timbre: The use of chromaticism and
dissonance led to a very complex orchestral
timbre by the end of the century:
1. At the beginning of the century, the woodwind
parts often doubled those of the strings. Brass
instruments were mainly used to "fill in" louder
passages.
Prominent Musical
Characteristics
Thick Timbre: The use of chromaticism and
dissonance led to a very complex orchestral
timbre by the end of the century:
2. About the middle of the century, the woodwinds
were combined with the strings in all registers. The
brass instruments were generally used to double
other parts and to play for louder passages.
Prominent Musical
Characteristics
Thick Timbre: The use of chromaticism and
dissonance led to a very complex orchestral
timbre by the end of the century:
3. In the second half of the century, complete
instrumentation was employed in each section of
the orchestra. Each section tended to be treated on a
more equal footing.
Prominent Musical
Characteristics
Chromaticism: The harmonic system established by
Rameau in 1722 began breaking down during the
Classical period. The Romantic composers exploited
the use of altered chords and modulation to such a
degree that the feeling for a central tonality often
became obscure. This is especially true of music
written after about 1850. The increased use of
dissonance and half step movements in all the voices,
and the avoidance of a "too-well-defined" tonality,
paved the way for the Impressionistic and
Expressionistic movements of the twentieth century.
Prominent Musical
Characteristics
Music Forms/ Styles
•Program music - An instrumental music which
relays ideas or narrates a story.