Romantic Music

Romantic Music (1850-1900) the word romanticism was first used to describe new ideas in painting and literature, towards the end of the 18th century. This word was later taken up by musicians, to describe the changes in musical style, which took place soon after the turn of the century.

Romantic composers aimed for a store powerful expression of emotion, often revealing their innermost thoughts and feelings.

         

                    Romantic music is not just about the emotion of love, it can also be about hate or death (positive or negative feelings).

Many Romantic composers took an interest in art and literature:

• Far off lands
• The distant past
• Dreams
• Night and moonlight
• Rivers, lakes and forests
• Nature and the seasons
• The joy and pain of love
• Fairy tales
• The supernatural
• Magic

The Characteristics of Romantic Music

1. Composers manifested individualism in their diversity of musical style.
2. Emotional expressions and personal feelings are emphasized in the songs and operas.
3. Nationalism in music which originated in folk music emerged as s result of the conditions of the times.
4. There was an expansion of instrumental music for the piano and orchestra.
5. Individualism was also manifested in the performance of the virtuoso-composer on piano and violin.

There was an improvement of piano music.

Musical form of Romantic Period

1. Vocal From

-          Recitative and Aria

-          Opera

2. Instrumental Form

-          Sonata

-          Chamber Music

-          Concerto

-          Ballet

-          Suite

Romantic v.s romantic

       Romantic- relating to a movement in late 18th- and early 19th-century music, literature, and art that departed from classicism and emphasized sensibility, the free expression of feelings, nature, and interest in other cultures

       romantic- involving sexual love: involving or characteristic of a love affair or sexual love, especially when the relationship is idealized or exciting and intense.

Objectives:

1. Identify the characteristics of 19^th century Romantic music and composers;
2. Describe and recognize the musical forms of the Romantic period; and
3. Find pleasure in listening to the different examples of Romantic music through the appreciation and active participation.

Romantic Composers:

·         Johann Strauss was born in Vienna, Austria on October 25, 1825. He   died of pneumonia in Vienna on June 3 1899.

Famous Works: Beautiful Blue Danube, Tales from Vienna Woods, Roses from the South, Emperor’s Waltz

He has written over 500 waltzes, polka, marches and gallops.

·         Niccolò Paganini (27 October 1782 – 27 May 1840) was an Italian violinist, violist, guitarist, and composer. He was one of the most celebrated violin virtuosi of his time, and left his mark as one of the pillars of modern violin technique. His caprice in A minor, Op. 1 No. 24 is among his best known of compositions, and serves as inspiration for many prominent artists.

Famous Works: 6 Violin concerti, Caprice in A minor no. 24, Moto perpetuo

·         Felix Mendelssohn (February 3, 1809 – November 4, 1847) was a German composer, pianist, organist and conductor of the early Romantic period.

Famous Works: Piano Quartet no. 1, Piano Quartet no. 2, Violin Sonata in F minor, Wedding March

His creative originality in now being recognized and re-evaluate.

·         Sir Edward William Elgar (2 June 1857 – 23 February 1934) was an English composer.

His works are: Enigma Variations, the Pomp and Circumstance March, The Dream of Gerontius

 He also composed oratorios, chamber music and songs. He was appointed Master of the King's Musick in 1924.

^·          Frédéric François Chopin, christened Fryderyk Franciszek Chopin (surname pronounced) in French, Polish; 22 February 1810 – 17 October 1849), was a Polish composer and virtuoso pianist

He was one of the great masters of Romantic music and the greatest piano composer. 

Famous Works: Fantasie-impromptu, Impromptu no. 3, Nocturne no. 2, Polonaise in A major “Miltary”

·         Gioachino Antonio Rossini (February 29, 1792 – November 13, 1868) was an Italian composer who wrote 39 operas.

Famous Works: Barber of Seville, Overture, William Tell overture

Rossini had been the most popular opera composer in history

·         Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Born: 7 May 1840; Votkinsk, Russia; Died: 6 November 1893

·         Best Known As: Russian composer of The Nutcracker a and sleeping beauty.

His style is unique.