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Timeline of Musical Periods

• Medieval Period (700-1400)

• Renaissance Period (1400-1600)

• Baroque Period (1685-1750)

• Classical Period (1750-1820)

• Romantic Period (1820-1910)

Romantic Period Overview

• Definition: Refers to Western music composed from the late 18th century to the 19th century.

• Cultural Movement: Emphasized emotion, imagination, individualism, and freedom of expression.

Characteristics of Romantic Music

• Nationalism: A prevalent theme, reflecting national identity and folklore through music.

• Emotional Expression: Composers and artists expressed their imagination and passion through their works.

• Orchestration:

  • Expansion in the size of orchestras

  • Development of new structures and forms

  • Elaborate harmonic progressions and longer melodies

  • Greater dynamics and pitch range

Significant Composers: Niccolò Paganini

• Biography:

  • Born: October 27, 1782, in Genoa, Italy.

  • Renowned as the most famous violin virtuoso.

  • Early starting age in music: began with mandolin at age 5, public performance at 7, solo tours at 15.

• Notable Works:

  • "La Campanella"

  • "24 Caprices for Solo Violin, Op. 1"

  • "Concerto No. 1 in Eb, Op. 6"

  • "15 Quartets for Guitar and Strings Trio"

  • "The Carnival of Venice"

Musical Terms Defined

• Caprices: A lively character piece that is free in form, often fast and intense.

• Virtuoso: An individual with outstanding talent and technical ability in music.

• Opus: A collection of compositions ordered by date of publication by a composer.

• Quartet: An ensemble comprising four performers.

Piano Music in the Romantic Period

• Marked by innovations requiring high virtuosity.

• Often features reinventions of Classical era sonatas.

Representative Composers

1. Frédéric Chopin

   • Born: March 1, 1810, in Zelazowa, Poland.

   • Known as the "Poet of the Piano".

   • Notable Forms:

     • Ballade: A narrative verse form set to music.

     • Etude: Designed for developing specific technical skills.

     • Mazurka: A Polish dance in triple time.

     • Nocturne: A pensive, dreamy piano composition.

     • Polonaise: A slow Polish dance in triple time.

     • Prelude: A short introductory piece of music.

     • Waltz: A dance in triple meter.

     • Impromptu: A short free-form piece for solo instruments.

     • Scherzo: A playful musical movement in ABA form.

     • Sonata: A composition for solo instrument typically in three or four movements.

2. Franz Liszt

   • Origin: Born in Hungary.

   • Renowned as a virtuoso pianist and composer, very active during the Romantic era.

   • Notable works: "Sonata in B Minor", arrangements of Beethoven's symphonies, "Hungarian Rhapsodies".

3. Robert Schumann

   • Born: June 8, 1810, in Zwickau.

   • Known for integrating music and words beautifully.

   • Famous piano works:

     • "Abegg Variations Opus 1"

     • "Dances of the Band of David Opus 6"

     • "Carnaval Opus 9"

   • Notable orchestral works:

     • "Piano Concerto in A Minor Opus 54"

     • "Overture, Scherzo and Finale Opus 53" (mini symphony)

4. Hector Berlioz

   • Born: December 11, 1803, in France.

   • Famous composition: "Symphonie Fantastique", a five-movement symphony.

   • Movements:

     • 1st: "Reveries/Passion" (Largo and Allegro)

     • 2nd: "A Ball" (Allegro, ABA form)

     • 3rd: "Scene in the Country" (Adagio, ABA Coda)

     • 4th: "March to the Scaffold" (Allegretto)

     • 5th: "Dream of a Witches Sabbath" (Larghetto Allegro)

5. Camille Saint-Saëns

   • Born: October 9, 1835, in Paris.

   • Known for creating elegant, polished music without excess.

   • Notable works: "Danse Macabre", "Symphony No. 3", "The Swan", "Carnival of the Animals".

6. Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky

   • Born: May 7, 1840, in Russia, known for Ballet Music.

   • Notable compositions: "The Nutcracker", "1812 Overture", "Sleeping Beauty", "Romeo and Juliet", "Swan Lake".