Terms in Romantic Era

Question 1

Romanticism

Answer 1

origins can be traced to late 18th century literature that served as inspiration for art and music
reaction against Classicism
emphasis on creative imagination and expression of emotions

Question 2

exoticism in music

Answer 2

important element of 19th century musical style
fascination with foreign lands and culture
evoked through melody, harmony, rhythm and orchestration

Question 3

nationalism in music

Answer 3

important element of 19th century musical style
patriotism expressed through music
influence of folk songs and dance, historical events, myths, legends and landscapes

Question 4

program music

Answer 4

significant trend in 19th century music
instrumental music with extramusical associations
descriptive title identifies the connection
some works include a written text or “program” provided by the composer

Question 5

chromatic harmony

Answer 5

from the Greek word for color, khroma
extensive use of notes outside the prevailing key signature
increasingly used for heightened expression in 19th century music

Question 6

art song

Answer 6

the musical setting of a poem

for solo voice, generally its piano accompaniment

Question 7

Lied (plural Lieder)

Answer 7

the musical setting of a German poem
for solo voice, generally with piano accompaniment
flourished in the 19th century

Question 8

durchkomponiert (through-composed)

Answer 8

a song structure that does not repeat entire sections of the music
as a result, melody, harmony, and piano accompaniment are able to reflect the meaning of the text as the story unfolds

Question 9

polonaise

Answer 9

stately Polish dance in triple meter transformed by Chopin into a virtuosic piano composition
often proud and majestic in character
often includes characteristic rhythms figures

Question 10

rubato

Answer 10

Italian for robbed time
rhythmic flexibility – speeding up or slowing down
an expressive device for interpreting music

Question 11

program symphony

Answer 11

a 19th century multi-movement orchestral work
modelled after the 18th century symphony with programmatic elements
includes a descriptive title
the accompanying text often outlines the program

Question 12

idee fixe

Answer 12

French for fixed idea
devised by Berlioz
a recurring theme that undergoes transformation
series as a unifying thread in a multi-movement composition
in Symphonie fantastique, it represents “the beloved”

Question 13

col legno

Answer 13

Italian for with the wood
novel string effect used by Berlioz
players tap on the strings with the wooden [arts of their bows

Question 14

Dies irae

Answer 14

Latin for day of wrath
monophonic chant melody dating form late Middle Ages
drawn from the Roman Catholic Requiem
19th century audiences would have associated the tune with funeral services

Question 15

opera

Answer 15

drama that is sung
combines vocal and instrumental music with drama, visual arts and often dance
components include recitative, series, ensembles, and choruses
originated in Italy around 1600

Question 16

habanera

Answer 16

Cuban dace-song
2/4
characteristic motive, often used as an ostinato