The Late Romantics

What are the two camps in music during the mid-nineteenth century?

Progressive Camp (Program Music) and Conservative Camp (Absolute Music)

What did the Progressive Camp believe about music?

They believed music should contain a program and be enhanced by its association with other arts.

Who were the chief proponents of the Progressive Camp?

Berlioz, Liszt, and Wagner.

What did the Conservative Camp advocate for in music?

They believed music should stand on its own, without a program, and that traditional forms should be maintained.

Who were the chief proponents of the Conservative Camp?

Mendelssohn, Brahms, Bruckner, and Mahler.

Who is considered a pivotal figure linking both camps?

Ludwig van Beethoven.

What was Franz Liszt's contribution to piano music?

He invented the modern piano recital and created virtuoso showpieces from transcriptions of existing works.

What are the three categories of Liszt's piano works?

Transcriptions of existing works, fantasias on well-known melodies, and miscellaneous pieces and études.

What is the significance of Liszt's 'Un sospiro'?

It deals with the performance of arpeggios and a melody that must be played evenly across hands.

What are symphonic poems?

Single-movement, programmatic works that Liszt created, rejecting the traditional four-movement symphony.

What is the theme of Liszt's 'Les Préludes'?

It explores the four elements and is structured in several sections reflecting different emotional states.

What is Anton Bruckner known for?

His symphonies that are modeled on Beethoven's Ninth Symphony and characterized by grand proportions.

What is the typical length of Bruckner's symphonies?

Frequently 1½ hours long, referred to as Bruckner's 'Heavenly Length.'

What is the structure of Bruckner's Symphony No. 4 in Eb Major?

It contains four movements: Ruhig bewegt, Andante, Bewegt, and Mäßig bewegt.

What is Johannes Brahms's relationship with the Schumanns?

He became close with Clara Schumann after Robert Schumann's death, and they were strong supporters of his music.

What are some major works composed by Brahms?

4 symphonies, 2 piano concertos, 1 violin concerto, and numerous chamber works.

What characterizes Brahms's piano music?

Thick textures with full chords, broken-chord figuration, and imaginative cross-rhythms.

What was Liszt's role in Weimar?

He dedicated himself to teaching, composing progressive works, and conducting new music.

What is the significance of the term 'symphonic poems'?

They represent a new form of orchestral music that emphasizes thematic metamorphosis.

What is the Cecilian Movement?

A revival of early Catholic church music that influenced Bruckner's choral compositions.

What is unique about Bruckner's symphonic style?

It features grandiose proportions and often recycles themes from earlier movements.

What is the thematic focus of Liszt's orchestral works?

They are often based on literary texts and explore ultra-progressive ideas.

What did Brahms publish throughout his career?

A great deal of music, including symphonies, concertos, chamber works, and choral pieces.

What is a hallmark of Liszt's performance style?

He often played the piano sideways on stage to allow the audience to see his hands.

What did Liszt do after retiring from public performances?

He focused on teaching and composing in Weimar.

What is the significance of the term 'absolute music'?

It refers to music that is meant to be appreciated without any narrative or programmatic context.

What did Bruckner's symphonies typically include?

Four movements and themes that emerge from a string tremolo mist.

What was Brahms's early musical education like?

He was raised in Hamburg and later moved to Vienna, where he became a successful concert pianist.

What are the two sets of variations modeled on Bach's and Beethoven's works?

Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Handel, Op. 24 and Variations on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 35.

What is the structure of Brahms's Intermezzo in E Minor, Op. 119, No. 2?

A ternary form: A - variations in E minor, B - lyrical version in E major, A' - variations in E minor, Coda - close in E major.

How many works did Brahms write for chamber music?

24 works.

What is Brahms's best-known chamber work?

Quintet for Piano and Strings in F Minor, Op. 34.

List the four symphonies composed by Brahms.

Symphony No. 1 in C Major, Op. 68; Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 73; Symphony No. 3 in F Major, Op. 90; Symphony No. 4 in E Minor, Op. 98.

What was Brahms's attitude towards composing symphonies?

He feared they would compete with Beethoven's works and wrote them in an intimate style.

What is significant about Brahms's Symphony No. 1?

It took him 21 years to complete, and he was 43 years old at its premiere in 1876.

What is the structure of Brahms's Symphony No. 4 in E Minor?

Traditional four movements: Allegro non troppo, Andante, Allegro giocoso, Allegro energico e passionate.

What unique feature does the final movement of Brahms's Symphony No. 4 exhibit?

It features variations on an 8-measure ostinato bass theme, resembling a Baroque chaconne.

What is Brahms's most famous vocal work?

The German Requiem.

What is the thematic basis of Brahms's German Requiem?

It is based on passages from the German Lutheran Bible, not the Roman Catholic Requiem Mass.

Who was Piotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky?

The most famous Russian composer of the 19th century.

What personal struggles did Tchaikovsky face?

He struggled with his homosexuality, attempted suicide multiple times, and had a disastrous marriage.

What is Tchaikovsky's most famous ballet?

Swan Lake.

What is the title of Tchaikovsky's last symphony?

Symphony No. 6 in B Minor, known as the 'Pathetique.'

What is the significance of Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6?

It was conducted by Tchaikovsky himself just nine days before his death.

What is the structure of Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6?

It consists of four movements: I. Adagio—Allegro non troppo, II. Allegro con grazia, III. Allegro molto vivace, IV. Adagio lamentoso.

What is a notable characteristic of Tchaikovsky's musical style?

Rich orchestration and sweeping, lyrical melodies.

What did Antonin Dvořák and Bedřich Smetana contribute to music?

They upheld the nationalistic tradition of Bohemia in their compositions.

What is Dvořák's Symphony No. 9 known for?

It incorporates elements from American music and is inspired by Longfellow's 'The Song of Hiawatha.'

What is the structure of Dvořák's Slavonic Dance, Op. 46, No. 1?

A - in C major, B - in A major and C# minor, A - in C major, Coda - Vivacissimo close.

What was the impact of Beethoven on composers from 1827 to 1913?

Beethoven's influence loomed large, with composers striving to either compete with or move beyond his legacy.