Romantic Era

Question 1

dates of Romantic Era

Answer 1

1825-1900

Question 2

characteristics of Romantic Era

Answer 2

heightened emotion, deeply personal expression

all about the individual

turned away from industrial life by looking to nature and to the exoticism they associated with faraway lands

nationalism, patriotism celebrated through exploration of local myths, legends

supernatural became a place of refuge from daily toil

concluded that art should enlighten what lies beyond the realm of everyday life

greater freedom of expression, expansion of musical vocabulary

Question 3

Franz Schubert

Answer 3

1797-1828

born in Vienna; musical family

devoted his life to his art, representing the essence of romanticism

never truly found happiness; much of his music is infused with a bittersweet, poignant character

“Erlkonig”
“Der Wanderer”

idolized Beethoven, buried next to him

Question 4

Schubertiade

Answer 4

first documented - Vienna, 1821

gathering of his supporters, friends, fans

served to showcase his most recent work

These events started off as informal gatherings that often included Schubert, who would sit at the piano and perform his latest compositions. The Schubertiade tradition continues to this day, usually as house concerts or recitals in intimate Venus that celebrate this and other composers’ works.

Question 5

Schubert’s musical style and contributions

Answer 5

• combines Classical and Romantic
• Classicism demonstrated in formal structures
• Romanticism demonstrated through use of chromatic harmony
• influenced by Mozart (lyrical melodic style) and Beethoven (symphonic writing); German Romantic poets, esp. Goethe
• close connection of text and music in art songs (word painting)
• increased role of piano in art songs
• vocal lyricism pervades all of his works

Question 6

Frederic Chopin

Answer 6

1810-1849

born in Żelazowa Wola, Poland; moved to Warsaw

child prodigy; first concert age 6, first published age 7

primary sources of income were from teaching members of aristocracy and publishing piano compositions; performed surprisingly few public recitals, but played frequently in salons of nobility

many romantic relationships, including brief engagement to Maria Wodzinska

“Polonaise in A flat Major”, op. 53
“Prelude in D flat Major”, op. 28, no. 15 (“Raindrop”)
“Etude in C Minor”, op. 10, no. 12 (“Revolutionary”)

Question 7

Hector Berlioz

Answer 7

1803-1869

born in Cote-Saint-Andre, near Lyon, France

started in med school; went to Paris Conservatoire; won Prix de Rome (1830)

influenced by Beethoven

friend of Liszt
married Harriet Smithson (Shakespearean actress, SF inspiration)

prolific writer, critic, author: major work incl. “Treatise on Modern Instrumentation and Orchestration” and “Memoires”

won Legion d’honneur

Question 8

Chopin’s musical style and contributions

Answer 8

melodic lines have vocal qualities inspired by the bel canto style in opera: long filigree passages, extended embellishments, and ornamental passages are prominent in nocturnes and other lyrical works

explored a new harmonic language: chromaticism, unexpected modulations, unusual juxtapositions, modal influections

used original and innovative pianistic figurations: unusual spacing of chords, sweeping arpeggiation, expanded range

exploited new capabilities of the piano

musical nationalism expressed through Polish dances including polonaises, mazurkas, and krakowiaks

influenced by Bach’s counterpoint, Mozart’s lyricism, Bellini and Donizetti’s bel canto style

Question 9

Berlioz’s musical style and contributions

Answer 9

highly individual and iconoclastic; explored orchestral writing

avid reader; infl. by Shakespeare, Byron, Goethe, Hugo, Walter Scott

influenced by Beethoven

vivid, original approach to orchestration; created unusual instrumental effects (ex - col legno)

expanded size and configuration of the orchestra

preferred large-scale forms

embraces programmatic writing in program symphonies & concert overtures

advocated “Music of the Future”, a modern aesthetic embracing progressive chromatic harmony, thematic transformation, cyclical forms

Question 10

Georges Bizet

Answer 10

1838-1875

French

won Prix de Rome

sought out stories & librettos set in distant lands such as Egypt, Sri Lanka

"Carmen" - "Quand je vous aimerai?" and "L'amour est un oiseau rebelle" [Carmen]; "Votre toast, je peux vous le rendre" [Escamillo]
"Roma Symphony"
"Children's Games" (piano duet)
"the Fair Maid of Perthy" (opera)
"The Peral Fishers" (opera)
"Chanson d'amour" (French art song)

Question 11

Bizet’s musical style and contributions

Answer 11

focused mainly on opera; enjoyed limited success in his lifetime

inspired by innovations of Wagner and Verdi, esp signature motives

consummate melodist

drawn to storylines with exotic settings; suggested local color through the use of dance rhythms, evocative orchestration

embraced new instruments (saxophone); enlarged size and configuration of orchestra, esp percussion section

harmonies rich and frequently tinged with chromaticism; juxtaposed major/minor modes for dramatic or ironic effect

integrated chorus into musical fabrics, experiments with musical structures (ex: blending chorus into solo aria)