The Romantic Period

The Romantic period was from approximately 1820-1910. It is still popular today. The main purpose of this music style was to evoke emotion and meaning within the listener, mainly through the methods of leitmotivs and chromaticism. It reflects artwork which was more abstract and free, however, lots of composers wanted to use nationalistic themes and patterns to inspire pieces. They were inspired by folk themes and tonal patterns to influence their pieces.

Main composers from this period include:

• Schubert

• Schumann

• Mendelssohn

• Liszt

• Chopin

• Wagner

• Strauss

• Mahler

Instrumentation mainly included pianos with sustained pedal, harps, the bass clarinet, contrabassoon, french horn, trumpet, trombone (brass instruments now had valves, making them able to play complex melodies which they once could not), metal and woodwind percussion with more timpani than other periods. This era mainly focused on brass and woodwind instruments. There were much larger orchestras, where the music also became much more complex and difficult for musicians.

Some new ensembles include the solo piano, string orchestra and large orchestras including large choruses.

Melodies in the romantic period:

• Larger range

• Extreme ranges of instruments

  • thus making the music much more expressive and extreme

• Diatonic with chromatic passages

• Lyrical and longer phrases

• More advanced harmonies

• Leitmotifs used on programme music and operas, representing a theme, character or mood

• The rise of virtuoso meant that melodies became faster and more exciting

Types of Romantic Composition:

1. German Leid

   1. Solo German voice, piano

   2. Equal importance

2. Lieder

   1. These were text of poems combined with short piano pieces and a solo voice to tell a story from a poem

3. Through Composition

   1. Little to no repetition

   2. Complete contrast

      1. Strophic Form

   3. Can be found in German Leid

4. Impressionism

   1. Dreamy sounding

   2. Whole tone scale

5. Mass

   1. Sung in Latin

   2. Religious (Christian)

6. Three against Two

   1. One line played in quavers in groups of two

   2. At the same time, another line plays triplets

7. Programme Music

   1. This type of music would tell a story to the listener

   2. Piano and orchestra are important

   3. Suggests moods, and sounds, exploits musical elements

8. Symphonic Poem

   1. One movement

   2. Tells the story of a poem

9. Opera

   1. Much larger casts

   2. The orchestra plays a huge role

   3. Over-the-top sets, costumes and scenery

10. Types of piano pieces

    1. Ballade

       1. poem which has been translated into a one movement instrumental piece

       2. some lyrical and narrative elements

    2. Prelude

       1. brief introductory piece

       2. short character piece

       3. improvisational qualities

    3. Nocturne

       1. inspired by the nighttime

       2. expressive and lyrical

    4. Mazurka

       1. Polish form of music

       2. Based on traditional Polish dances

       3. Characterised by strong accents on second and third beats

    5. Polonaise

       1. Played at carnival parties

       2. 3/4 meter

       3. Waltzish style

       4. Alla polalla = polonaise style

Characteristics of the Romantic Era:

• Contrasting dynamic levels

• Flexible forms

  • Does not follow strict musical rules

  • Fewer restrictions

• Starkly contrasting melodies

• Less balance

• More unstable chords

• Individuality of style

  • Unique to personalities

• Expressive subjects

  • Unpredictable, longing

• Nationalism

  • Exotic

  • Myths and legends inspire this

  • Folk songs and dances inspire these

  • History, legends and landscapes

• Program Music

  • Association with story/idea

  • Association with literature

• Harmony

  • New chords

  • Chromatic harmony

  • Dissonance

  • Variety of Keys

  • Modulations

    • Changes tonality

  • Rich chord patterns

  • Extended chords

• Range

  • Rubato

  • Accelerations

• Miniatures, monumental

  • Moods created from one melody and few chords

  • Thematic transformations

  • Long, extended compositions

• Melodic Shape

  • Swirling

  • Rich melodies

  • Large pitch range

• Texture

  • Homophonic with many instruments

• Dynamics

  • Large range

  • Sudden and dramatic changes

• Waltz

  • 3/4 time

  • Lively, dance-like

  • Omm-pah-pah accompniment

  • Beautiful Romantic Melodies

  • Memorable tune

• Vocal Music

  • Song Cycles

    • A composite form of vocal music consisting of a group of individually complete songs

    • For solo or ensemble voices

    • With or without instrumental accompaniment

  • Melisma

    • Many syllables for one word

  • Scalic

    • Going up/down in scales

  • Word Painting

Melody:

• Range of melodies larger

• Extreme ranges of instruments

• Generally diatonic

• Chromatic passages frequent

• Lyrical melodies

• Leitmotifs used to represent themes, characters and moods

• Virtuoso began