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).

Evolution of Music Patronage

• 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.

Characteristics of Romantic Music

• 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

• 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.

Franz Schubert

• 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).

Romantic Themes

• 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.

Robert Schumann

• 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.

Clara Schumann

• 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.

Frédéric Chopin

• 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".

Franz Liszt

• 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.

Key Takeaways

• 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.