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Handouts for the Music of the Romantic period

Cultural movements described as a cultural movement stressing emotion, imagination, individualism, and freedom. They let the
imagination and passion show in their work. Musical compositions of this period are portraying literature, history, emotions and
nature. The main form of instrumental compositions are concert overtures, program symphonies, symphonic poems, and incidental
music. Piano pieces are in ABA form. Piano music of the romantic period is in free form such as fantasy, rhapsody, ballade and
nocturne. Program music was expressed in tone poems such as symphony fantastique.

VIOLIN AND STRINGS MUSIC

Nicolo Paganini
- Born in 27, 1782 in Genoa, italy in the family of the six children.
- His musical skills started in playing mandolin at the age of five.
- Famous violin vituoso in the world
- Famous compositions: “La Campanella” and Carnival of Venice.
PIANO MUSIC
Frederic Chopin
- Known as the poet of the piano
- Born on March 1, 1810, in Zelazowa, Poland.
- Plays piano at the age of 4, composed polonaise at the age of 7
- Well known compositions: Fantasie in F minor, Op. 49, and Revolutionary Etude, Op.10.
- His music is characterized by its beautiful tone, rhythmic Flexibility, grace and elegance.
- His compositions are similar to Mazurkas and polonaise to express his love in Poland.
Important terms to remember:
Ballad- a verse form narrative that is set to music.
Etude- a piece composed for the development of a specific technique.
Maurka- a polish dance in triple time signature
Nocturne- a instrumental composition of a pensive dreamy mood for the piano
Polonaise- a slow polish dance in triple time that consists of a march or procession.
Prelude- a short piece of music that can be used as a preface, and introduction to another work or may stand on its own
Waltz- a german dance in triple meter
Impromptu- a short free-form musical composition usually for a solo instrument, like the piano
Scherzo- a musical movement of playful character, typically in ABA form
Sonata- composition for one or more solo instruments usually consisting of three or four independent movements varying in key,
mood, and tempo.

Fransz Liszt
- The works described as “virtuosity” and dedicated hiself to become piano virtuoso.
- Born in Doborjan, Hungary
- He is talented at a young age and easily understood sight reading. His father was his first teacher at the age
of six.
- He is known into his musical compositions, piano transcriptions of opera, and famous symphonies. Most of
his compositions are technically challenging.
- Liszts piano works: “la campanella”, “Liebestraume no. 3” and “Hungarian Rhapsodies”
- Orchestral compositions: “Symphonic Poems” (for Hamlet and Les Preludes)
Robert Schumann
- He is a famous composer that beautifully combined music and words, a composer and a music critique.
- Robert Alexander Schumann was born in 1810 in Zwichan.
- He studied law and through the effort of Friedrich Wieck who took time to teach him music, He wrote
his first composition, and his family eventually was in favor of his music carrier than law.
- 1834 Schumann founded the music journal, “Jornal Neue Zeitschrift fur Musik”.
- He used pseudonyms; Eusebius (his sensitive, lyrical side) and Florestan (his fiery, stormy side.
- Piano works: “Abegg Variations” Opus 1(1830) and “Carnaval” Opus 9(1835)
- Art songs: “ Frauenliebe and leeben” (“A Womans Love and Life”)
- Orchestral music: “Piano Concerto in A Minor,” Opus 54, and “Overture,” Scherzo

PROGRAM MUSIC
An instrumental composition that conveys images or scenes to tell a short story without text or lyrics. It entices the
imagination of a listener.
Hector Berlioz
- French romantic composer born on December 11, 1803.
- At the young age, learned guitar and flute but never became skilled. He pursued a career in music.
- His famous composition: “Symphonie Fanstastique”, famous for its tone of color.
Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky (Pyotr Ilyich Chaykowsky)
- Born on May 7, 1840, in Votkinsk, Russia, was known for his Ballet music.
- He first studied law but rebelled and began to study music at a conservatory St. Petersburg.
- He was a fan of Mozart and studied composition with Anton Rubinstein and moved to Moscow to start
teacher at the new conservatory.
- He became famous for composing musical poems “Fatum” and “Romeo and Juliet”. He peaked in the last
10 years of his life and later died due to Cholera.”
- His famous compositions: “Swan Lake” and the “Nutcracker”.

Prepared by: Jesha Ivy P. Sacate