The Early Romantics

What was Hector Berlioz's profession?

Composer, critic, and orchestra conductor.

Where was Hector Berlioz born?

Southeastern France near the Alps.

What was Berlioz's initial area of study before pursuing music?

Medical school in Paris.

Who was Harriet Smithson?

A British actress whom Berlioz fell in love with.

What major work did Berlioz compose in response to his feelings for Harriet Smithson?

Symphonie fantastique.

In what year was Symphonie fantastique completed?

1830.

What is the structure of Symphonie fantastique?

A symphony in five movements.

What is the theme of Symphonie fantastique based on?

A personal program conceived by Berlioz, titled 'An Episode in the Life of an Artist'.

What does the Idée fixe represent in Symphonie fantastique?

The beloved, Harriet Smithson.

Describe the first movement of Symphonie fantastique.

Introduction of the beloved; the artist takes opium and dreams of her.

What happens in the second movement of Symphonie fantastique?

The artist encounters his beloved at a ball.

What occurs in the third movement of Symphonie fantastique?

The artist hears shepherds and sees a vision of his beloved.

What is depicted in the fourth movement of Symphonie fantastique?

The artist dreams he has killed his beloved and ascends the scaffold.

What is the theme of the fifth movement of Symphonie fantastique?

The artist is at a witches' sabbath where ghosts gather.

What innovative technique did Berlioz use to unify the movements of his symphony?

Cyclical technique with a recurring theme (Idée fixe).

What is thematic metamorphosis in the context of Symphonie fantastique?

The transformation of the Idée fixe reflecting the context of each movement.

What was the significance of the year 1830 for Berlioz?

He completed Symphonie fantastique, a groundbreaking work in music.

What does Berlioz's use of expanded harmonies involve?

Flexible use of harmonies, rapid mode switches, and chromaticism.

What is the role of the Dies irae in Symphonie fantastique?

It is a funeral chant that appears during the witches' sabbath.

How did Berlioz's Symphonie fantastique differ from traditional symphonies?

It was based on a narrative program rather than a prescribed form.

What was the impact of Beethoven's death on Berlioz's work?

Symphonie fantastique was completed just three years after Beethoven's death, marking a new direction in composition.

Who were some composers of the Conservative School in contrast to Berlioz?

Mendelssohn, Brahms, Mahler, and Bruckner.

What is the main theme of the movement 'March to the Scaffold' in Berlioz's Symphonie fantastique?

The movement consists of alternating sections, featuring a march in G minor and a brass fanfare in B♭ major, with coloristic effects achieved by alternating keys.

How did Berlioz transform the classical orchestra?

He expanded the orchestra by introducing new woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments, creating the modern orchestra.

What is the instrumentation of Berlioz's Symphonie fantastique?

Includes strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion with specific numbers for each instrument, such as at least 15 violins and 4 bassoons.

Who was Felix Mendelssohn?

A composer born into a wealthy Jewish family in Berlin, known for his prodigious talent and works that included Lutheran chorales.

What significant work did Mendelssohn revive in 1829?

Bach's St. Matthew Passion.

What is Mendelssohn's compositional style characterized by?

A conservative approach combining classical forms with Romantic elements, often using texts and programs.

What are some of Mendelssohn's notable works?

Includes 2 oratorios (St. Paul, Elijah), 5 symphonies, and incidental music for A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Describe the structure of Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E Minor.

Traditional three-movement format: fast - slow - fast, with lyrical melodies and thematic connections between movements.

What are 'Songs Without Words'?

Piano miniatures by Mendelssohn, published in eight volumes, combining the lied with the piano genre for amateur performance.

Who was Frederic Chopin?

A composer born in Poland, known for his piano compositions and his relationship with George Sand.

What is a significant aspect of Chopin's compositions?

He wrote primarily for the piano, creating works in both traditional and new forms.

What types of pieces did Chopin compose?

Includes 24 preludes, 89 dances, 4 ballades, 21 nocturnes, and 27 études.

What characterizes the Mazurka in Bb Major, Op. 7, No. 1?

It features a stately triple meter with accents on beat 2, dotted rhythms, and exotic ornaments.

How did Chopin's piano idiom develop?

He utilized advances in piano construction to create a distinctive Romantic style with daring harmonic colors.

What is the significance of the mazurka in Chopin's music?

It is associated with Polish nationalism and reflects the characteristics of the Polish folk dance.

What is the role of thematic content in Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto?

Movements are linked by thematic content, showcasing cyclical techniques.

What is the impact of Berlioz's orchestration on later composers?

It opened the door for later French composers like Chopin and Debussy to explore nonfunctional harmony.

What was Mendelssohn's relationship with Queen Victoria?

He dedicated his 'Scottish' Symphony to her, highlighting his popularity in England.

What is the typical form of Mendelssohn's 'Songs Without Words'?

Many are in simple ternary form: A, B (extension), A, followed by a codetta.

What distinguishes the Romantic features of Mendelssohn's compositions?

Use of texts and programs, along with a reliance on classical literature like Shakespeare.

How did Chopin's personal life influence his compositions?

His relationship with George Sand served as a muse, impacting his creative output significantly.

What was the significance of the year 1847 for Chopin?

It marked the end of his productive period after his relationship with George Sand ended.

What literary and artistic movement emerged at the end of the 18th century?

Romanticism

What societal changes influenced Romanticism?

Political upheavals undermined confidence in Enlightenment rational thinking.

What are the three main retreats sought by society during the Romantic era?

Retreat into an idealized past, nature, and the exotic or supernatural.

Which composer is associated with nationalism in England?

Edward Elgar

What was a significant effect of the Industrial Revolution on society?

Vast migration to cities for factory work and the growth of a more sophisticated middle class.

How did the Industrial Revolution impact music distribution?

Advanced printing technology and a growing transportation network allowed music to be duplicated and distributed.

Name a violin virtuoso from the Romantic era.

Niccolò Paganini

What is a key characteristic of Romantic music?

It expresses intense feelings such as yearning, melancholy, and joy.

What is absolute music?

Instrumental music that evokes feelings beyond the power of words.

What is program music?

Instrumental music associated with a poetic or narrative description.

Who is considered the master of the German Art Song (Lied)?

Franz Schubert

What are the three forms of Lied as developed by Schubert?

Strophic, through-composed, and modified strophic.

What is the significance of 'Der Erlkönig' in Schubert's work?

It showcases character distinction through vocal range and mode, and uses piano to set the scene.

What is the theme of 'The Winter's Journey' cycle by Schubert?

The journey of a man from lost love to total despair.

What was Robert Schumann's primary focus after a hand injury?

He focused on composing and writing criticism.

What is the significance of Clara Schumann in music history?

She was a piano prodigy and composer who had a successful concert career.

What is 'Dichterliebe' and who composed it?

A song cycle by Robert Schumann based on poems by Heinrich Heine.

What emotional themes are explored in 'Dichterliebe'?

Longing, initial fulfillment, abandonment, hope, and resignation.

What is the musical structure of 'Ich grolle nicht' from 'Dichterliebe'?

A B A form emphasizing the recurring theme of desired love.

What does the piano represent in 'Der Mond kommt still gegangen'?

It provides a simple chordal accompaniment, allowing the voice to dominate.

What is the significance of the key choice in 'Der Mond kommt still gegangen'?

It is set in the rich, romantic key of Db major.

What is the role of the piano in Schubert's lieder?

It often plays an equal or prominent role alongside the voice.

What is the primary characteristic of Romantic music regarding dynamics?

A love of extremes in genres, dynamics, and tempos.

What does the term 'organicism' refer to in Romantic music?

The creation of music as an organic whole, with interrelated themes and sections.

What was the impact of the middle class on music during the Romantic era?

Both men and women sought to make music for courting and entertainment, leading composers to write works that filled this need.

What is the significance of the 'Schubertiads'?

Intimate social gatherings where Schubert's songs were performed.

What was a common theme in Schubert's lieder?

Beauty of melodies and inventive, pictorial piano accompaniments.