Classical Era and Nineteenth-Century Music

Practice flashcards reviewing the core concepts, social context, and musical characteristics of the Classical Era (1750–1800) and the Nineteenth-Century Romantic Era (1800–1900).

What years span the Classical Era according to the notes?

1750–1800

What did artists in every field look to as a model during the Classical Era?

Nature

In the 18th century, how did writers begin to describe musical structure?

In terms of language

Which 1786 comic opera by Mozart captured the growing mood of discontent with the societal establishment leading up to the French Revolution?

The Marriage of Figaro

What shift occurred regarding musical performance venues during the Classical Era?

Theaters and concert halls open to the paying public began to flourish on a widespread scale.

How did melodies in the Classical Era compare to those of the Baroque Era?

They were less ornate and more periodic.

Which broader historical movement did the Classical Era in music coincide with in part?

The Age of Enlightenment

What rapid advances in technology occurred during the Classical Era?

The steam engine, the cotton gin, and manufacturing

What years span the Nineteenth Century era covered in the notes?

1800–1900

For Romantic artists, what was considered just as important as the intellect?

Dreams

Why was music considered the "most Romantic of all the arts" in the nineteenth century?

Because it provided access to unknown realms, separate from the outer world.

How did Chopin show his nationalist political sympathies?

By writing Polonaises

How did the Industrial Revolution influence the production and distribution of pianos?

Pianos were produced in factories in mass quantities, making them more affordable than ever before and allowing middle-class households to purchase them.

What role did music take on in relation to political expression in the nineteenth century?

Music became a vehicle for expressing political sentiments.

What general aesthetic shift did nineteenth-century music reflect regarding tradition?

An increased sense of freedom from convention

What three core elements did Romanticism emphasize?

Imagination, emotion, and longing

What unique power was instrumental music believed to hold during the nineteenth century?

It could invoke ideas and emotions that could not be captured by words.