AOS1: Romantic music

Question 1

How did the piano develop from the classical to romantic period?

Answer 1

• Metalframe = stronger, easier to transport
• Bigger frame = more dynamic contrast
• More keys = greater range of pitches
• Pedals improved (sustain + una corda) = greater range of sonority

Became mass produced + cheaper; more people learned to play (especially the middle classes)

Question 2

Give 5 characteristics of Romantic piano music.

Answer 2

• Bigger frame = more dynamic contrast in pieces; articulations + dynamics very detailed
• Wider range of pitch = more contrast in pieces
• Often virtuoso (challenging to perform)
• Adventurous, unusual modulations
• Expressive variation in tempo (rubato)
• Emotion expressed through dissonant chords; notes like 7ths, 9ths, 11ths and 13ths added
• Melodies important + often marked cantabile (play in a singing style)
• Pedals allowed for a wide range of tones/sonority
• Accompaniment was often broken chords (unlike before, often spread across several octaves due to bigger range)
• Groups of pieces were linked as programme music which told stories or were based on poems, paintings, etc

Question 3

How did the orchestra develop in the Romantic period?

Answer 3

It grew even more:

• Woodwind: piccolo, bass clarinet + contrabassoon added
• Percussion: xylophones, glockenspiels, drums, cymbals, bells, triangles, celestes, harps
• Brass: Trombones + tubas added. Instruments had valves, allowing them to play more notes.
• Development of piano meant it became more important.

Question 4

Give 3 features of Romantic music.

Answer 4

• Pianos became the solo instrument in concertos - virtuoso cadenza sections
• Lots of sonatas were written for piano
• Preludes (originally introductions to pieces) became popular as stand-alone pieces; many were written for piano

Question 5

Chopin was a Romantic composer, born in Poland, who was inspired by many Polish folk tunes and dance rhythms. He mainly wrote piano music; even his main orchestral works were piano concertos. He also wrote for voice.

His piano music included impromptus (through-composed), études (“studies”, with imaginative melodies, virtuoso), nocturnes (represented the night, melody above broken chords, slow tempo, sad feel) and a prelude in every key

Name 5 characteristics of Chopin’s piano music.

Answer 5

• Expressive melodies
• Extensive use of pedals
• Inverted pedals, pedal notes, augmentation
• Detailed articulations and dynamics
• Inventive modulations
• Use of ternary form (ABA)

Question 6

Schumann was a German composer whose early work was mainly piano music, but who later in his career composed works such as symphonies, Lieder and an opera. He was highly regarded for his ability to combine poetry and music.

Give 3 examples of types of music Schumann wrote.

Answer 6

• Programme music (told stories, reflected emotions)
• Wrote variations on themes written by composers he admired
• Lieder (pl - singular = Lied): songs for one singer and a piano. He based these on German poems; they told stories and were dramatic. Were either through-composed or strophic in structure, and often had motifs.

Question 7

What are masses?

Answer 7

Pieces sung in Catholic churches as part of services (traditionally in Latin).

Question 8

What are requiems?

Answer 8

Masses to comemmorate the dead. Both the lyrics and music is grave and solemn.

Question 9

How did Requiems develop in the Romantic period?

Answer 9

• Became popular for large-scale concert performances, as opposed to church services.
• Were gigantic in scale - written for huge numbers of singers and large orchestras, to create drama and tension