Romantic

1825– 1900

Composers


Chaikovski

Russian

Brahms

German

Chopin

Polish

Piano music

Liszt

Piano virtuosa
Verdi Itialian

Opera
Wagner German

Opera
Schubert

Lieder

Schumann

 

Mendelssohn

 

Berlioz

Orchestral Music

Romantic Characteristics

Individuality of style - The Romantic composer strives to express his own feelings

 

Emotion and Sentimentality - Great emphasis is placed on feeling

 

Nationalism - Using folk songs and legends to be identified with a certain nationality.

 

Exoticism - Facination with faraway things and places

 

Program Music - Writing music with a program, that is a story or poem that goes with the music. It usually has a descriptive title and may have program notes to go with it.

 

Romantic orchestra-

Timbre becomes very important. Tone color is used for mood and atmosphere. Orchestra is larger. Brass plays a melody part. Added to the woodwinds are the piccolo, bass clarinet, E flat clarinet, and contra bassoon. The percussion section now has bass drum, snare drum, cYmbals and bells in addition to three timpani. Great technical demands are put on the players.

 

Harmony- Lush sounds and chords. Frequently changing keys. Use of chromaticism.

 

Dynamics- Range is from pppp to ffff.

 

Tempo- Ritard, accelerando and rubato

 

Length of works- Very short descriptive pieces to monumental words lasting several hours.