Romantic Era Flashcards
What are the Political/Social/Intellectual/Technological Events surrounding the Romantic Era? List each and describe their impact on Romantic Music.
Political/Social - French Revolution fosters the rise of the middle class. This means patronage goes away from the Aristocracy. Composers now write for the middle class. (Liberty, Equality, Fraternity)
Intellectual - Romantic thought is supreme. Poets and artists turn to fanciful subjects and human emotion. Exoticism and a passion with foreign lands also develops here. Leads to music that’s supposed to sound exotic but is written by people who have never been there. Also get a lot of nationalism as a result of the conflicts in Europe. Comes out as memorable melodies, richly expressive harmony, and board and expanded forms. Greatest conflict is between the individual and society as a whole. See this emphasis on individualism.
Technological - The industrial Revolution finally brings about advancements in musical instruments making them better and more affordable to the middle class. As new instruments are introduced the size of the orchestra grows and orchestration becomes more creative. Horn Melodies could be written that were impossible before and the piano can get a different sound than Mozart could in his day.
When does the first hint of Romantic Thought appear?
During the 1760s in the form of Rousseau, called the Father of Romanticism, and present in Germany during the Strum und Drang literary movement.
Describe the dynamic range during the Romantic era.
Expanded beyond the range of the Classical era by going from fff (Very Loud) to ppp (Very Soft). Created drama in the music of the Romantics.
What was orchestration used for in the Romantic Era?
Used the selection of instruments to form a mood and provoke emotional responses. This also prompted the introduction of modern conductors to the orchestra.
List all the style traits of Romantic music.
1) Express Emotion - This is the Goal
2) Virtuosity - Individual Skill Showcased, Lizst
3) The Heroic Complex - @ Beethoven
4) Nature Focused
5) Nationalistism
6) Exoticism
7) Supernaturalism
8) Creative Orchestration - More than the violin or flute getting the melody
9) Chromaticism - Use of notes outside the key in which the piece is written.
10) Longer Pieces With More Contrasts.
Why is Beethoven considered the hero of Romanticism?
- Beethoven heroically overcame obstacles by the sheer force of his own will. For Beethoven, emotion meant more than form. He was the Romantic quintessential artist. Allowed musicians to become moody/depressing.
What is the dominant genre of the Early Romantic Period?
The Lied - German songs for Piano and Voice. The Text is poetry often written by an actual poet and attempt word painting regularly. Just 3-4 Minutes Long. Usually get put in the song cycle of other composers. Almost every Romantic does this except Wagner.
What is a song cycle?
Groups of lies that followed a poet’s narrative and were sung in emotional order.
What is strophic form?
- A form in which the same melody is repeated every stanza, or strophe, of the poem.
What is Through-Composed form?
- A form that proceeds from beginning to end without repetitions of whole sections.
What is modified strophic form?
- A form in which the same melody may be repeated for two or three stanzas with new material introduced when the prom requires it.
Why is Schubert considered partly Romantic and partly Classical?
Romantic - His songs are clearly composed in song cycles and written from poems. For example, Elfking and Winters journey. Clearly an emphasis on emotion.
Classical - His symphonies and chamber music closely followed the Classical forms. He only lives until 31, doesn’t get time to fully develop as a composer. He has a foot in each door.
Who was the other notable composer of Song Cycles mentioned in the textbook besides Schubert?
Schumann.
Describe Key Facts About Romantic Era Piano Music.
1) Industrial Revolution produces steel stringed pianos which leads to a 2-3 pedal, 88 key standardized piano that’s commercially accessible. Two Effects: More Piano Music is Composed because it is standard to perform. Also more likely that the general public will have a piano.
2) Two Venues Where It’s Performed: Salon Gatherings/Homes (Small Venues) and Concert Halls (Big Venues)
What is a Short Lyric Piano Piece or Character Piece? Describe its attributes.
- Replace Sonatas. It’s written in a dance/lyrical style rather than a specific dance form.
- It’s Program Music. Music that is accompanied by a text or story.
- gets fancy names like Preludes, Nocturne, etc.
How did Liszt Compose music for piano?
In a Programatic Style, but with such difficult pieces that only he could perform it as a showcase of his individual talent. Large amounts of piano, not a lot of orchestra in some of his pieces.
What is program music?
Instrumental music with a literary or pictorial association supplied by the composer.
What is the counter to program music?
Absolute music - music without intended literary or pictorial meanings.
What are the different varieties of program music?
1) Overture
2) Incidental Music
3) Program Symphony
4) Symphonic Poem
What is an Overture?
A single movement concert piece for orchestra that evokes a scene or literary idea. They were supposed to be the introduction to a larger work.
What is Incidental Music?
- Usually consists of an overture and a series of pieces performed between acts of a play and during import scenes.
- Always connected to some play. Whether performed in a play or in a separate concert.
What is a Symphonic/Tone Poem?
- Doesn’t Have to be a Poem
- Single Movement Orchestral Piece of Program Music
- 10-30 Minutes long.
- Contrasting sections that develop a poetic idea, suggest a scene, or create mood.
