Romantic

Question 1

Waltz

Answer 1

• The waltz as well as being a musical theme was a dance seen as controversial for how close partners danced together.
• A waltz was in the time of ¾
• It usually contained rubato and was quite vivace (lively) and allegro (fast).
• The accompaniment was played by a bass note and then a repeated chord.
• A famous waltz composer was Johan Strauss.

Question 2

Famous romantic composers

Answer 2

Chopin
Mendelssohn
Tchaikovsky
Liszt
Beethoven

Question 3

Romantic time period

Answer 3

1820-1910

Question 4

General notes on the Romantic era

Answer 4

• Early decades of the 19th century were very turbulent, partly because there were many revolutions
• Composers started to write music for art and not any sort of reward
• Industrialisation this all coincided with the industrial revolution and the beginnings of mass production, (music could be printed and bought)
• In the 19th century more and more people could afford a piano at their homes

Question 5

Musical features of the Romantic era

Answer 5

• The tempo of music became flexible through a concept called rubato
• Composers began to tell stories through their music (programmatic music)
• Orchestras expanded even more in this era to include instruments like the piccolo, contrabassoon, tuba, cor anglais and the harp
• The harmony become more dissonant and gained more emotional depth
• Longer phrases
• Increase in percussion
• Dissonance
• Piano pedal

Question 6

March

Answer 6

1. Straight rhythm without any syncopation.
2. Military / grand feel.
3. Lots of brass and percussion.
4. Time signature is in 2/4
5. 100-120 bpm.
6. It’s marched too.
7. Dotted rhythms are often used.
   Sousa spectacular is an example that I’ve played before.