symphonic poem (aka tone poems)
one-movement orchestral composition with a program, in free musical form; popular in the later 19th century
Tchaikovsky's name for symphonic poems
symphonic fantasia or overture-fantasy
nationalism
the incorporation of national folk music (of the composer's nationality) into concert pieces, songs, and operas
exoticism
the incorporation of the national folk music (not of the composer's nationality) into concert pieces, songs, and operas
Kuchka
the "Mighty Five," a group of 5 Russian nationalist composers (only 1 was a trained musician)
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Russian composer/music professor who composed 6 symphonies, 11 operas, symphonic poems, chamber music, songs, and many famous ballet scores; depressed and gay and had a bad marriage (lived 1840-1893)
Modest Musorgsky
Officer in the Russian Imperial Guard that was also a member of the Kuchka; unconfident in his musical abilities (lived 1839-1881)
Johannes Brahms
German composer, friend of the Schumanns, always stayed in touch w/ Clara, conducted a chorus and wrote a lot of choral music (lived 1833-1897)
Gustav Mahler
Composer with a really bad childhood (and other parts of life) who moved from Bohemia to Vienna, and studied at the Vienna Conservatory