The Romantic Period Flashcards
How did concertos change in the romantic period?
They became much more dramatic and emotional
How Does interaction between instruments change in the romantic period?
The interaction between solo instrument and orchestra became more complex and interesting
What happened in orchestra in terms of solos?
The solo instrument was being demanded much more
What did the improvements in the making of instruments prompt?
The composers could write much more challenging music
How did tone quality change?
It became stronger
How did string instruments change?
They got a wider pitch and dynamic range
How did woodwind instruments change?
They improved key work making dexterity more possible
How did trumpets and horns change?
They had more valves allowing more complex melodies to be played including chromatic scales which used to be hard previously
What effects did the piano’s wider range of pitch and dynamics have?
- the solo line had very good technical skills while there were passages with great beauty and emotion
- cadenzas became written by the composer and became harder to play
Name new instruments in the orchestra that were widely used in orchestra accompaniment
Piccolo, cor anglais, trombone and tuba
What was the string section like in orchestras?
It became larger to balance the new forces of woodwind and brass
How was percussion used in orchestras?
More were available and were used more widely like cymbals, side drum, bass drum, triangle
How was percussion used before the romantic era?
Used sparingly with only the timpani being available and still not very common
What was usually used for the melody?
Horns and cellos
What was the contrast like between orchestra and soloists?
Extreme
How did melodies change?
They became longer and more complex along with rhythms
Where did there become considerable variety and contrast?
In dynamics, texture, pitch, range and tempo
How was variety and contrast shown?
In movements and in use of rubato becoming common giving a new sense of flexibility to music
How did harmonies become more complex?
Chromatic harmony was being used and chords that created dissonance and then resolved were being used to create tension within the music
Name some concerto composers from the romantic period
- Late Beethoven
- Brahms
- Rachmaninov
- Dvorak
- Mendelssohn
Where were romantic concertos performed?
Large concert halls or large churches due to the big orchestra
