Romantic Period Flashcards
What is Exoticism in music?
Folk outside of your own country; Same elements of nationalism but from ‘foreign land’
Often involves incorporating musical elements from other cultures.
Define Nationalism in music.
Folk song and dance from your own country; Also a political movement
Nationalistic music often reflects the culture and identity of a nation.
What does Rubato mean?
Free flowing. ‘Borrowing Time/Stealing Time’. Flexible Tempo.
Used to enhance expressiveness in performance.
What is thematic transformation?
You think you are hearing different melodies but turns out it’s the same melody
A technique often used in Romantic music.
What are Art song and Song cycle?
Art song: solo voice and piano. Piano equal in telling the story
Song cycle: Group of songs linked together with larger storyline. Individual pieces put into a group.
What is a Lied?
Art song but German
A significant form of German Romantic music.
What is an Etude?
A study in technique. Lots by Chopin
Often focuses on specific technical challenges for the performer.
Define Nocturne.
Night piece. Lyrical.
Typically features a serene and expressive character.
What are Polonaise and Mazurka?
Style of polonaise dance
Both are traditional Polish dances often used in Romantic music.
What is Program music?
Music with poem, idea, or painting.
Includes forms like symphonic poem, concert overture, and incidental music.
What does Verismo refer to in opera?
Realism in later Italian Opera.
A movement that sought to depict everyday life and relatable characters.
What is a leitmotif?
Wagner. ‘New level of dissonance’.
A recurring musical theme associated with a particular character or idea.
What is an Idée fixe?
Fixed idea. Recurring melodic theme that serves as a structural element in a musical composition.
Often appears in transformed forms throughout a piece.
List the 7 characteristics of Romantic music.
- Individuality of Style
- A Universe of Feeling
- Nationalism and Exoticism
- Program Music
- Expressive Tone Color
- Colorful Harmonies
- Use of Extremes
Compare the objective nature of Classical music to the subjective nature of Romantic music.
Classical music is Objective while Romantic music is Subjective.
What characterized the role of the piano in the 1800s?
It was a staple in households for social gatherings, with Lieder and art songs written for people to play at home.
Who was Schumann and what did he do?
Schumann became a music critic and launched some careers as a result.
Approximately how large did the orchestra become by the end of the Romantic period?
100-110
Who was the ‘trend-setter’ for many Romantic composers?
Beethoven
Which composers are known for writing art songs?
- Schubert
- Schumann
- Brahms
Who was Paganini?
The devil’s violinist. A rockstar of his time.
What country had one of the most prominent nationalistic ‘schools’?
Russia
Who were the ‘Russian Five’?
- Mily Balakirev
- Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
- Cesar Cui
- Aleksandr Borodin
- Modest Mussorgsky
Modest Mussorgsky is often considered the greatest among them.
What elements of folk music does Dvorak’s New World Symphony use?
- Inspired by American music
- African American spirituals in the south
- Native music in the west
- Mixed with Czechoslovakian style
