Romantic Period Vocabulary

Romantic Period Overview

The Romantic period saw a significant growth of the middle class compared to the Classical and Baroque periods.
- More people could afford pianos and music education.
- Composers began writing music for the middle class, not just the aristocracy.
- Many composers came from middle-class backgrounds (teachers, doctors, lawyers).

Medieval Period: The clergy controlled music preservation, resulting in mostly sacred music.
Renaissance Period: The printing press made music more accessible, but paper and ink were still expensive.
Baroque Period: Wealthy individuals continued to be the primary patrons of music.
Classical Period: A shift began with Mozart's attempt to be a freelance composer and Beethoven's success in gaining financial support.

Program Music: Music with a story or narrative behind it.
- Tone poems and symphonic poems aimed tell a musical story in one movement.
- Unlike the Classical period, instrumental pieces had descriptive names to evoke specific images or stories.
Expressive Melodies: Piano music became more song-like due to instrument modifications.
Larger Ensembles: Orchestras grew in size compared to the Classical period.
- Greater range of tone color, dynamics, and pitch.
Harmonic Language: Use of unstable chords, chromatic harmonies, and dissonance (described as "crunchy" or dense).
Miniatures and Large-Scale Works: Composers wrote short piano pieces for home use and large orchestral works.
- Orchestras expanded to around 100 players, compared to 25-30 in the Classical era.

The art song is analogous to the modern-day ballad, often telling a story of heartbreak or nature.
Definition: Composition for solo voice and piano.
- Piano and voice are equally important.
- Poetry and music are fused together, often using lyrics from contemporary poets.
- Reflects the Romantic elevation of literature to the same level as music.
Forms of Art Songs:
- Strophic: Same music for each verse or stanza.
- Through-composed: New music for each stanza.
- Modified Strophic: Combination of strophic and through-composed forms, where at least two stanzas share the same music.

Considered the master of the Romantic art song, having written over 600 songs.
He came from and wrote for the middle class, avoiding the aristocracy.
He participated in Schubertiads, which were parties featuring only his music.
Died young at 31.
His larger works were recognized posthumously.
His piece "Erlkönig" (Elf King) is a key work in the art song tradition, depicting a demon-like figure (similar to the bogeyman).

Love of contrasts and opposites to reflect the complexities of human emotions.
Interest in horror and the supernatural, exemplified by stories like Frankenstein and Nosferatu.

A prolific composer and pianist, known for his eccentric personality.
He injured his hand, which ended his performance career and led to mental instability.
"Reconnaissance"
- One piece from a suite of 21 character pieces for piano.
- Character pieces are short compositions meant to evoke a specific feeling.

A composer and pianist who married Robert Schumann.
She wrote a collection of six songs reflecting personal feelings shortly after her marriage.
Important as performer of her husband's music rather than prioritizing her own compositions due to societal expectations.
Her work highlights the importance of both piano and voice in art songs.

Known for his Fantasy Impromptu in C-sharp minor.
- Exemplifies Romantic love for extreme contrast.
The piece was composed in 1834, but published posthumously.
Known as a virtuoso pianist who could make the piano "sing".

A piano virtuoso inspired by violinist Paganini.
He transcribed orchestral pieces for piano, showcasing his exceptional technical skill.
Known for making the piano sound like it required three hands to play.
His piece "La Campanella" is based on a theme from Paganini's violin concerto.
- Taking another composer's work and incorporating it into your own was seen as an honor, not plagiarism.

The Romantic era valued individualism, seen in the unique sounds developed by different composers.
Composers explored extreme emotions and contrasts in their music.
The focus is on understanding the essence of the Romantic period and how composers developed their individual styles, rather than memorizing names and pieces.