44: Orchestral Program Music by Mendelssohn and Grieg

Key points

• Prominent types of romantic program music include the concert overture, incidental music to a play, and the symphonic poem (a one-movement work).

• Felix Mendelssohn drew on his passion for Shakespeare's plays in writing a concert overture that he felt encapsulated the story and expressive qualities of A Midsummer Night's Dream.

• Political unrest throughout Europe stimulated schools of nationalistic composers in Russia, Scandinavia, England, and Bohemia.

• Edvard Grieg looked to the folklore of his native Norway in many of his works. His incidental music for Peer Gynt was written to accompany a play by Henrik Ibsen about this folk legend, then was excerpted into an independent suite.

Varieties of Orchestral Program Music

1. Overture:

• Originated from the opera house as an introduction to an opera or play.

• Evolved into separate concert pieces, such as Tchaikovsky’s "Romeo and Juliet".

• Not necessarily associated with opera; may evoke landscapes, patriotic themes, or literary ideas.

2. Incidental Music:

• Consists of overtures and pieces performed between acts or during important scenes of a play.

• Successful pieces often arranged into suites, like Mendelssohn’s "A Midsummer Night’s Dream".

3. Influence on Film Music:

• Use of music to enhance spoken drama influenced the development of musical accompaniment to silent films and later film soundtracks.

4. Symphonic Poem:

• Developed by Franz Liszt to serve the Romantic era as the symphony served the Classical.

• One-movement orchestral form with contrasting sections, conveying poetic ideas, scenes, or moods.

• Offers composers flexibility with structure, contrasting with traditional concert overtures.

5. Mendelssohn's "A Midsummer Night’s Dream":

• Inspired by Shakespeare’s play, Mendelssohn composed a concert overture at the age of seventeen.

• Premiered in 1827, praised for its originality and musical style.

• Captures the spirit and intrigue of the play through thematic representation.

• Features sections representing courtly pairs, Athenian lovers, fairies, and clownish tradesmen.

• Structure follows a sonata-allegro form, introducing, developing, and restating thematic ideas.

• Mendelssohn's life and contributions: born in Hamburg, excelled as a pianist, conductor, and educator.

• Major works include orchestral music, concert overtures, choral music, chamber music, and keyboard music.

• Notable compositions include five symphonies, concert overtures, piano and violin concertos, oratorios, and chamber music.

• Composition of incidental music for Shakespeare's comedy, including the famous "Wedding March".

6. Conclusion:

• The overture and incidental music have played significant roles in the development of orchestral program music, influencing composers across different eras.

• Mendelssohn's "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" remains a prominent example, showcasing thematic richness and compositional brilliance.

Musical Nationalism

1. Definition and Context:

• Musical nationalism emerged in nineteenth-century Europe as a significant component of the Romantic movement.

• It was fueled by political conditions, including the pride of conquering nations and the struggles for freedom of suppressed ones.

• Composers sought to express the soul of their nations through their music, drawing inspiration from folk songs, dances, folklore, and historical events.

• School of Music Nationalism: England, Scandinavia, Russia, Czech Republic, Spain

2. Expression of Nationalism:

• Composers employed various techniques to express nationalism:

  • Incorporating folk tunes and dances into their compositions.

  • Creating dramatic works based on folklore or peasant life.

  • Writing symphonic poems and operas celebrating national heroes, historic events, or the scenic beauty of their country.

3. Examples of Nationalistic Works:

• Russian composers like Tchaikovsky produced fairy-tale operas and ballets, drawing from Russian folklore and culture.

• Bedřich Smetana's "The Moldau" depicted the river as the lifeblood of Bohemia, celebrating the emerging state's identity.

• Giuseppe Verdi's operas faced censorship due to their portrayal of unjust rulers and "dangerous" ideas.

• Chopin's polonaises and Smetana's symphonic poems were outlawed by the Nazis during World War II due to their powerful nationalist symbolism.

4. Musical Nationalism Across Europe:

• Various regions developed their own musical nationalist movements.

• The Russian school, including the "Mighty Five," aimed to express a true Russian spirit in their music, breaking away from German, French, and Italian influences.

• England and Spain also produced nationalistic composers, reflecting the unique identities of their countries.

5. Conclusion:

• Musical nationalism played a significant role in shaping the Romantic era, allowing composers to express national identity and pride through their music.

• Despite facing censorship and opposition from authorities, nationalist composers remained steadfast in their efforts to celebrate the cultural heritage and spirit of their nations.

A Scandinavian Nationalist: Edvard Grieg,

1. Introduction:

• Edvard Grieg, a prominent Norwegian composer of the nineteenth century, is celebrated for his ability to capture Norway's folklore and essence in his music.

• Grieg aimed to create art accessible to all, incorporating elements of Norwegian folk music and dance into his compositions.

2. Peer Gynt, Suite No. 1:

• Based on Henrik Ibsen's play "Peer Gynt," which premiered in 1876.

• The story follows the adventures of Peer Gynt, a young man with a strong moral message.

• Grieg composed incidental music for the play, later extracting eight movements to form two orchestral suites.

• Notable pieces from Suite No. 1 include "Morning Mood" and "In the Hall of the Mountain King."

3. Edvard Grieg's Life and Contributions:

• Born in Bergen, Norway, Grieg attended the Leipzig Conservatory in Germany, where he was influenced by Mendelssohn and Schumann.

• Grieg promoted Scandinavian music through his compositions and involvement in musical institutions.

• Known for his lyricism and use of Norwegian folk music and dances in his works.

• Major works include orchestral pieces, piano music, chamber music, and songs.

4. Analysis of Key Pieces:

• "Morning Mood": Depicts the sunrise with a lyrical theme passed between instruments, building to a climax.

• "In the Hall of the Mountain King": Conceived as grotesque ballet music, featuring an insistent theme as the troll daughters chase Peer Gynt.

5. Conclusion:

• Grieg's compositions, particularly those from "Peer Gynt," exemplify his nationalistic approach to music, drawing on Norwegian folk traditions and imagery.

• His works continue to be admired for their expressiveness and ability to evoke vivid imagery from the Norwegian landscape and culture.

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