Classical Music of the Classical Music of the Romantic PeriodRomantic Period

The Shifts to the Romantic EraThe Shifts to the Romantic Era Much of the advent of the Romantic era in Much of the advent of the Romantic era in

Classical music was technically caused by Classical music was technically caused by the the Industrial RevolutionIndustrial Revolution, where more , where more brass and woodwind instruments were brass and woodwind instruments were added to the standard orchestra including added to the standard orchestra including the piccolo, clarinet, bassoon, and tuba. the piccolo, clarinet, bassoon, and tuba. The bongos, and more The bongos, and more exoticexotic percussions percussions were added to the orchestras later in the were added to the orchestras later in the eighteenth centuryeighteenth century

The Shifts to the Romantic EraThe Shifts to the Romantic Era Not only did the Industrial Revolution Not only did the Industrial Revolution

change the music of the times, but it also change the music of the times, but it also changed people’s perspectives of changed people’s perspectives of everything around them.everything around them.

These changes in attitude and perception These changes in attitude and perception

became inspiration for musicians to became inspiration for musicians to express express more emotion more emotion about the changing about the changing times into their music. Their music had times into their music. Their music had become become reflective of their daily livesreflective of their daily lives. .

Romantic Period Music-Romantic Period Music-The Times DefinedThe Times Defined

The Romantic Era in music (mid 1800’s – early The Romantic Era in music (mid 1800’s – early 1900’s) was an era of rebelling against everything 1900’s) was an era of rebelling against everything that was once believed to be “Standard.” that was once believed to be “Standard.”

Not dissimilar from the Classical Era, the Not dissimilar from the Classical Era, the Romantic Era composers used sonatas, Romantic Era composers used sonatas, symphonies, concertos, and operas in their pieces symphonies, concertos, and operas in their pieces of work. The difference was that in the Romantic of work. The difference was that in the Romantic Era, Era, the pieces of work did not stay true to the the pieces of work did not stay true to the rules of the “Forms” (Forms are the styles rules of the “Forms” (Forms are the styles used in the songs).used in the songs).

The Main Characteristics of The Main Characteristics of Romantic MusicRomantic Music

Freedom of form and design. It was more personal Freedom of form and design. It was more personal and emotional. and emotional.

Song-like melodies (lyrical), as well as many Song-like melodies (lyrical), as well as many chromatic harmonies and discords. chromatic harmonies and discords.

Dramatic contrastsDramatic contrasts of dynamics and pitch. of dynamics and pitch.

Big orchestras!Big orchestras!

Wide variety of pieces (i.e. songs up to five hour Wide variety of pieces (i.e. songs up to five hour Wagner operas!) operas!)

The Main Characteristics of The Main Characteristics of Romantic MusicRomantic Music (more)(more)

Programme music (music that tells a story) (music that tells a story)

Shape was brought to work through the use Shape was brought to work through the use of recurring themes. of recurring themes.

Great technical virtuosityGreat technical virtuosity

Nationalism- often in the presence of Nationalism- often in the presence of echoes back to traditional cultural songsechoes back to traditional cultural songs

Opera and Ballet Opera and Ballet had huge jumps in had huge jumps in popularitypopularity

Major ComposersMajor Composers

Let’s Listen to some selections!Let’s Listen to some selections! Liszt, Wagner, Verdi, Gounod, Offenbach, Liszt, Wagner, Verdi, Gounod, Offenbach,

FranckFranck

Smetana, Bruckner, Strauss II, Brahms, Smetana, Bruckner, Strauss II, Brahms, Borodin, Saint-SaensBorodin, Saint-Saens

Bizet, Mussorgsky, TchaikovskyBizet, Mussorgsky, Tchaikovsky