Instrumental Music of the Romantic Period

Instrumental Music of the

Romantic Period

(Early Romantic)

Introduction

Musicians of the nineteenth century wanted their musical instruments to sing. Because of this change in instrumental forms, many familiar songs from the 20th century were taken from Romantic Symphonies, concertos, and other instrumental works. For example, the songs "Could it be magic" By Marry Manilow that was taken from Prelude in C Minor, and the famous "No Other Love" taken from the Etude in E Major, were both written by the Romantic composer Frederic Chopin.

The Romantic Period of Music

Ask most people what they consider a romantic song and you'll get answers like John Legend's "All of Me". But as you know, the capital "R" in Romantic music is works composed of in the Romantic Style, which arose during the Romantic Period.

The Romantic Period of Music

Composers of this Era saw music as a means of individual and emotional expression. They considered music as the art form most capable of expressing the full range of human emotion. Music was expected to communicate to the audience, often by using a narrative form that told distinct stories.

The Romantic Period of Music

Four primary artistic inspirations of Romantic Era music Now that you understand the context in which Romantic music developed, it will be easy to understand why these are the artistic themes (defined more broadly than the strict musical sense of "theme") that continually appear in works throughout the period.

• Conveying extreme emotional states, taken from a literary character or situation or just a representation of being human.

• Exploring nature, particularly its wilder aspects, such as using musical techniques to imitate the sounds of storms or evoke the atmosphere of a dense, mysterious forest.

• Fascination with the supernatural as a reaction to scientific advances, that both explain old beliefs

• Composers no longer relied on support or sponsorship of the aristocrats or church but on audience (the middle class).

Program Music

Program music tells a story that conveys, images, poems, ideas or scene without words. In such a manner program music is distinguised from absolute music or pure music.

1. Program SymphonyA composition in numerous movements. As its name applies, it is a symphony with a program. A descriptive title is seen in each movement. Example of this is from HectorBerloiz "Symphonie Fantastique" (Listen on top)(1) "Reveries Passions" (2) "A Ball" (3) "Scene in the Country" (4) "March to the Scaffold" (5) "Dream of a Witches' Sabbath" Considered as the most powerful composition of the 19th century.

Hector Berloiz "Symphonie Fantastique"

(5) "Dream of a Witches' Sabbath"

Program Music

2. Concert Overture (more formal - stand alone)Consists of only one movement, usually in sonata form. It is an independent composition and not accompany a stage production. Famous concert overtures are Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture and Romeo and Juliet Overture (opening piece)

Program Music

3. Symhonic Poem (free in form / long - flexible)Symphonic poem or tone poem is also a musical composition for orchestra in one movement. It is written in many forms - sonata form, rondo or theme and varations.Written to tell a story or describe something. Well known tone poems was Les Preludes by Franz Liszt.

4. Incidental Music It is intended to accompany the action or mood of a dramatic stage performance. Only used between scenes or for particularly important moments in the play. It is called "incidental" because the music is not as significant as the play. Mendelssohn's "Wedding March," an incidental music for Shakepeares's A Midsummer Night's Dream, is a famous example of this.Familiar with "Wedding March" ? :)

PIANO MUSIC

One of the important factors in establishing the musical culture of the Romantic era was the rise o in popularity of the piano - an instrument capable of playing both melody and harmony together unlike most wind and string instruments. Aside from Mozart and Beethoven, another piano music expert was also famous during this era: the "Poet of the Piano", Frederic Francois Chopin. The piano music of Schumann, Mendelssohn and Liszt were mostly appreciated. However, the Polsh composer and pianist Chopin, dominated Romantic piano music composition.

Nocturne

The Nocturne (night song) adopted by Frederic Chopin, is a kind of quiet, reflective movement with a mood of melancholic nature as though reflecting the atmosphere of the night. Kind of serenade

Nocturne

Prelude

The Nocturne (night song) adopted by Frederic Chopin, is a kind of quiet, reflective movement with a mood of melancholic nature as though reflecting the atmosphere of the night. Kind of serenade

A short mood piece of no prescribed form. Generally played as an introduction to another larger piece.

Nocturne

Prelude

The Nocturne (night song) adopted by Frederic Chopin, is a kind of quiet, reflective movement with a mood of melancholic nature as though reflecting the atmosphere of the night. Kind of serenade

A short mood piece of no prescribed form. Generally played as an introduction to another larger piece.

Minuet

Originated from French menuet, meaning "small" referring to a small dance steps. Has 3/4 time signature. It describes the musical style that accompanies dance.

Nocturne

Prelude

The Nocturne (night song) adopted by Frederic Chopin, is a kind of quiet, reflective movement with a mood of melancholic nature as though reflecting the atmosphere of the night. Kind of serenade

A short mood piece of no prescribed form. Generally played as an introduction to another larger piece.

Minuet

Scherzo

Means "joke" and therefore must be played quickly and with and understanding of the humor. This is similar to the minuet in time signature. Scherzo is faster and sometimes humorous.

Originated from French menuet, meaning "small" referring to a small dance steps. Has 3/4 time signature. It describes the musical style that accompanies dance.

Nocturne

Prelude

The Nocturne (night song) adopted by Frederic Chopin, is a kind of quiet, reflective movement with a mood of melancholic nature as though reflecting the atmosphere of the night. Kind of serenade

A short mood piece of no prescribed form. Generally played as an introduction to another larger piece.

Minuet

Scherzo

Means "joke" and therefore must be played quickly and with and understanding of the humor. This is similar to the minuet in time signature. Scherzo is faster and sometimes humorous.

Originated from French menuet, meaning "small" referring to a small dance steps. Has 3/4 time signature. It describes the musical style that accompanies dance.

Etude

Chopin excelled in writing the etude, a French word for "Study" or "exercise" designed to provide practice material for perfecting a particular skill

Nocturne

Prelude

The Nocturne (night song) adopted by Frederic Chopin, is a kind of quiet, reflective movement with a mood of melancholic nature as though reflecting the atmosphere of the night. Kind of serenade

A short mood piece of no prescribed form. Generally played as an introduction to another larger piece.

Minuet

Scherzo

Means "joke" and therefore must be played quickly and with and understanding of the humor. This is similar to the minuet in time signature. Scherzo is faster and sometimes humorous.

Originated from French menuet, meaning "small" referring to a small dance steps. Has 3/4 time signature. It describes the musical style that accompanies dance.

Waltz

Etude

A both dance and a song form popular in Romantic Era and beyond. Some composers chose instead to compose masterpieces simply meant to be listened to.

Chopin excelled in writing the etude, a French word for "Study" or "exercise" designed to provide practice material for perfecting a particular skill

Nocturne

Prelude

The Nocturne (night song) adopted by Frederic Chopin, is a kind of quiet, reflective movement with a mood of melancholic nature as though reflecting the atmosphere of the night. Kind of serenade

A short mood piece of no prescribed form. Generally played as an introduction to another larger piece.

Minuet

Scherzo

Means "joke" and therefore must be played quickly and with and understanding of the humor. This is similar to the minuet in time signature. Scherzo is faster and sometimes humorous.

Originated from French menuet, meaning "small" referring to a small dance steps. Has 3/4 time signature. It describes the musical style that accompanies dance.

Waltz

Etude

A both dance and a song form popular in Romantic Era and beyond. Some composers chose instead to compose masterpieces simply meant to be listened to.

Chopin excelled in writing the etude, a French word for "Study" or "exercise" designed to provide practice material for perfecting a particular skill