The Romantic Period. Flashcards
What was the rough time frame for the Romantic Period?
1820-1900
In the Romantic Period, what were the dynamics like?
They used a wide range of dynamics, with lots of sudden changes, e.g. both ppp and fff in one bar. They also used a lot of sforzandos and accents as well, which made the music very dramatic
In the Romantic Period, what did composers do to make their music more expressive?
They added extra instructions; as well as tempo markings they’d include instructions like dolce (sweetly), amoroso (lovingly) and agitato (agitated).
How did the Romantic Period represent change in terms of tempo?
There were more tempo changes; a piece might change speeds lots of times within the same section.
In the Romantic Period, musicians used rubato a lot. What is this?
Rubato means ‘robbed time’, and it’s when performers speed up a little in one phrase, and slow down in another to make up for it. It gives them the freedom to be more expressive.
In the Romantic Period, how did composers make the harmonies more interesting with their use of chords?
They added extra notes to the chords: 7ths, 9ths, 11ths and 13ths (9ths, 11ths & 5ths were just 2nds, 4ths and 6ths an octave higher). They helped create dissonance, which allowed the composers to show emotions like pain and misery.
How did the Orchestra develop in the Romantic Period?
They grew larger, extra instruments being added to all sections of the of the orchestra, especially woodwind and percussion. Brass instruments were able to play more notes due to having valves, and the development of the piano meant that it became a much more popular and important instrument. These changes all meant that composers could write music with a wider range of timbres, dynamics and textures.
How did the piano change in the Romantic Period in terms of size?
It changed shape and got bigger, meaning it had a wider dynamic range.
How did the piano change in the Romantic Period in terms of its strings?
The strings inside were both thicker and longer, making a fuller tone. As they were also pulled tighter, they became tenser.
How did the piano change in the Romantic Period in terms of its keys?
The number of keys, and therefore notes, increased to just over 7 octaves. Consequently, the composers then had a larger range in pitch to compose for.
How did the piano change in the Romantic Period in terms of its frame?
The frame used to be made of wood, but was now made of metal, to cope with the new strings. This made it easier to transport them.
How did the piano change in the Romantic Period in terms of its pedals?
Both pedals (the sustain and soft) became more effective.
How did the piano change in the Romantic Period in terms of its hammers?
The hammers were given a felt, in lieu of leather, covering. This made the tone softer and more rounded.
In the Romantic Period, what was the most important part in piano pieces?
The melody, which was often marked ‘cantabile’- to be played in a singing style.
As the music often had a large range of dynamics, articulation and tone, what did pianists have to do to get the right sounds?
They had to use the pedals a lot.
