Week 1

Question 1

Describe how the piano changed in Romantic music style

Answer 1

• technological improvements (ex. cast iron frame that supported thicker strings-richer tone, invention of “double escapement” action-allowed rapid repetition of individual keys)
• pieces requiring greater virtuosity

Question 2

Describe the formal structure of Romantic music style

Answer 2

• expansion and development of large forms: symphony, opera, song cycle
• cyclical structure, linking of movements
• development of miniature forms (ex. Lieder)

Question 3

Describe the dynamic range of Romantic music style

Answer 3

• expanded to extreme levels

- markings in score are more specific (compared to earlier eras)

Question 4

How did social changes in the 19th century affect music?

Answer 4

• audiences of a wide spectrum of social classes
• growing number of amateur musicians, ensembles, and choirs
• more concerts, need for more performance venues
• emergence of many virtuoso musicians

Question 5

Describe the rhythm of Romantic music style

Answer 5

• increasingly complex and varied
• use of cross-rhythms, hemiola, irregular groupings
• tempo rubato applied by the performer (expressive speeding up or slowing down)

Question 6

Describe the orchestral instruments of Romantic music style

Answer 6

• expansion of orchestra to include: harp, piccolo, English horn, trombone, tuba, contrabassoon
• improvements to instruments (ex. 7 pedals added to harp, enabling it to play in all keys)
• composers inspired to exploit expanded capabilities of instruments in demanding and virtuosic works

Question 7

Name 4 non-musical people that reflect the spirit of Romanticism

Answer 7

• Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
• Napoleon Bonaparte
• Caspar David Friedrich
• Charles Dickens

Question 8

Describe the harmony of Romantic music style

Answer 8

• increased chromaticism
• exploration of new tonal centres (ex. mediant, submediant)
• exploration of modal harmony

Question 9

Describe the melody of Romantic music style

Answer 9

• lyrical and expansive

- influenced by folk song and dance

Question 10

Describe how programmatic music was an element of Romantic music style

Answer 10

• trend in 19th century music
• instrumental music with extra-musical associations (literary, poetic, visual)
• descriptive titles that evoke listener’s imagination
• orchestral genres included concert overture, symphonic poem, program symphony, and incidental music

Question 11

What are 11 attitudes of 19th century art and music?

Answer 11

• Sehnsucht (yearning for the unattainable)
• Individualism
• Heightened emotionalism
• Weltschmerz (growing pessimism)
• Exoticism (distant, foreign)
• Nationalism
• Escapism
• Fascination with the supernatural
• Morbid fascination with death
• Art as religion
• Adoration of nature