MUS111 - Romantic Period

Romantic Period

A cultural movement that stressed emotion, imagination, and individuality. It was a rebellion against the Age of Reason. Romantics were drawn to the “unrealistic”: fantasy, dreams, the irrational, and the impossible.

The music of the Romantic Period depicted a change in…

tone color (instruments played), dynamics, and pitch (harmony, individuality).

Individuality of Style in the Romantic Period

Composers developed their own style. Expressed their own personal selves through their art.

Nationalism of the Romantic era

Folk subjects, folk tunes, and folk styles. There was a fondness of stories expressed through art song—fantasy. 

Musical characteristics of the Romantic Era

Melody and harmony

Melody

long singing lines

Harmony

Rich and more colorful. Use of dissonance.

Romantic Melodies

Long, soaring, often depicted singing lines.

Romantic Harmonies

used as an expressive tool by composers. Thought clashing harmony is a great way of portraying longing, desire, a broken heart, or other sad poetry.

Romantic Texture/ Rythm

Dense, rich, flexible. A variety of textures were used. The melodic line soars, creates an idea of slowing down, then returning back to tempo. Called a “grand gesture.

Important Subject of the Romantic Era

Parallelism between nature and music. Painted musical pictures of nature, used as a metaphor for the composers greatest emotions.