Music: An Appreciation
4th Brief Edition
by Roger Kamien


             Unit V
       The Romantic Period
           1820-1900

                    Presentation Development: Robert Elliott
                             University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
The Romantic Period
•   Time-line:
    •   Monroe Doctrine—1823
    •   Hugo: Hunchback of Notre Dame—1831
    •   Dickens: Oliver Twist—1837
    •   Dumas: The Three Musketeers—1844
    •   Poe: The Raven—1845
    •   Darwin: Origin of Species—1859
    •   American Civil War—1861-1865
    •   Twain: Huckleberry Finn—1884
    •   Bell invents telephone—1876
Romanticism (1820-1900)
•   Stressed emotion, imagination and
    individualism
• Emotional subjectivity basis of arts
• Favorite artistic topics:
     • Fantasy and the supernatural
     • Middle Ages/concept of chivalry & romance
       • Architecture revived Gothic elements
     • Nature: as mirror of the human heart
• Period of the Industrial Revolution
     • Resulted in social and economic changes
Chpt. 1: Romanticism in Music
•   Many important Romantic composers
    •   Franz Schubert      •   Bedrich Smetana
    •   Robert Schumann     •   Antonin Dvorak
    •   Clara Schumann      •   Peter Tchaikovsky
    •   Frederic Chopin     •   Johannes Brahms
    •   Franz Liszt         •   Giuseppe Verdi
    •   Felix Mendelssohn   •   Giacomo Puccini
    •   Hector Berlioz      •   Richard Wagner
• Continued use of Classical period forms
    • Much individual alteration and adjustment
• Greater range of tone color, dynamics,
  and pitch than in Classical period
• Expanded harmony—complex chords
Chpt. 1-Romanticism in Music

Characteristics of Romantic Music
Individuality of Style
  • Composers want uniquely identifiable music
Expressive Aims and Subjects
  • All approaches were explored:
     • Flamboyance, intimacy, unpredictability,
       melancholy, rapture, longing, …
  • Romantic love still focus of songs & operas
     • Lovers frequently depicted as unhappy and
       facing overwhelming obstacles
  • Dark topics draw composers
Nationalism and Exoticism
  • Nationalism: music with a national identity
  • Exoticism: intentionally imply foreign culture
     • Frequently in operas with foreign settings
Chpt. 1-Romanticism in Music

Characteristics of Romantic Music
Program Music
 • Association with a story/poem/idea/scene
    • Understanding the music enhanced through
      reading program or viewing associated work

Expressive Tone Color
 • Composers tried to create unique sounds
    • Blending of existing instruments
    • Addition of new instruments
 • Tone color important to emotional content
Colorful Harmony
 • Chords built w/ notes not in traditional keys
    • Harmonic instability consciously used device
Chpt. 1-Romanticism in Music

Characteristics of Romantic Music
Expanded Range of Dynamics, Pitch & Tempo
 • Dynamics ff, pp expanded to ffff & pppp
 • Extremely high and low pitches were added
 • Changes in mood frequently underlined by
   (sometimes subtle) shifts in tempo
Forms: Miniature and Monumental
 • Some composers went on for hours
    • Required hundreds of performers
 • Others music lasted only a few minutes
    •
 • Composers wrote symphonies, sonatas,
   string quartets, concertos, operas, and
   many other Classically traditional works
Chpt. 2: Romantic Composers
         and Their Public
•   Demise of the patronage system
    • Composers regarded themselves as “free spirits”
    • Decline in aristocratic fortune—Napoleonic wars

• New urban classes/new musical topics
• Public was entranced by virtuosity
• Piano became a fixture in most homes
• Composers/audience: same social class
• Few composers financially successful
Chpt. 3: The Art Song
•   Composition for solo voice and piano
    • Accompaniment integral part of the song
• Linked to vast amount of poetry in this period
    • Composers interpret poem’s, mood, atmosphere
      and imagery into music
       • Mood summed up at end with piano postlude

Strophic and Through-Composed Form
• Strophic form repeats music for each verse
• Through-composed—new music each verse
•Sometimes modified strophic form used
The Song Cycle
• Group of songs unified in some manner
    • Storyline or musical idea may link the songs
Chpt. 4: Franz Schubert
• Born in Vienna (1797-1828)
• Early Romantic composer
• Prodigious output
    • When 18 years old wrote 143 songs
    • At 19 years wrote 179 works
       • Included 2 symphonies, opera & mass

Schubert’s Music
• Wrote over 600 songs
    • Also symphonies, string quartets, other chamber
      music, sonatas, masses, operas, & piano works
       • The Unfinished Symphony: only 2 movements, not 4
Chpt. 4-Franz Schubert


Listening
Erlkonig (The Erlking), 1815
  by Franz Schubert
  Listening Guide: p. 219    Brief Set, CD 3:12

Based upon narrative ballad with supernatural
  topic by Goethe
Note: Through-composed form
      Piano portrays galloping horse
      Different characters have their notes
        pitched at different levels to
        emphasize dialog
       Dramatic ending
Chpt. 5: Robert Schumann
• German, early to mid-Romantic (1810-1856)
• Wanted to be piano virtuoso
    • Problem with hand ended his ambition
       • Treatments & gadget made problem worse
• Married his piano teacher’s daughter
• Temperamentally unsuited for some of
  the musical positions he attempted
• Committed to asylum where he died
Robert Schumann’s Music
• Wrote piano pieces, art songs, and
  later symphonies
    • Piano pieces and art songs frequently in cycles
Chpt. 5-Robert Schumann


Listening
From Carnaval (1834), a cycle of
  program music by Robert Schumann
Estrella, for his first fiancée
  Ternary form, note syncopation in B section
  Listening Guide p. 223   Brief Set, CD 3:18

Reconnaissance (Reunion)
  Ternary form, note B section shift from
  homophonic to polyphonic texture
  Listening Guide p. 223    Brief Set, CD 3:20
Chpt. 6: Clara Wieck Schumann
• German (1819-1896)
• A leading 19th Century pianist
    • One of 1st well-known women composers
• Married Robert Schumann
    • Stopped composing after his death
    • Focused on performing his works
• Pair was friends w/ Johannes Brahms
Clara Schumann’s Music
• Stopped composing at age 36
    • Considered herself primarily a performer
    • Wrote songs, piano pieces, a concerto…
Chpt. 6-Clara Wieck Schumann


Listening
Romance in G Minor for Violin and Piano,
 Op. 22, No. 2 (1853)
  by Clara Schumann
  Listening Guide: p. 226      Brief Set, CD 3:22


“Romance” often used to indicate short lyrical
  piece for piano or solo instrument and piano

Note: Ternary form
      Pizzicato (plucked) violin at end
Chpt. 7: Frederic Chopin
• Polish born musician (1810-1849)
• Early to mid-Romantic composer
• Came to Paris at age 21
    • Europe’s Romantic Period artistic capital
• Wrote almost exclusively for piano
    • Made extensive use of piano pedals
• Composed mostly for chamber concert
    • Avoided concert halls
Chopin’s Music
• Developed personal style at early age
    • Not program music, but evokes an image
    • Unique harmonic style influenced others
Chpt. 7-Frederic Chopin


Listening
Nocturne in E Flat Major, op. 9, no. 2
   by Chopin (1830-31)
   Listening Guide: p. 229
   Brief Set, CD 3:27

Nocturne (night piece)-slow, lyrical, intimate
 piece for piano

Note: Expressive, emotional presentation with
        subtle shifts in tempo and dynamics
      Pedal notation on music (p.229)
Chpt. 7-Frederic Chopin


Listening
Etude in C Minor, Op. 10, no. 12
  Revolutionary (1831?)
  by Chopin
  Listening Guide: p. 230
  Brief Set, CD 3:28

Etude—study piece focusing on a specific
  technique in performance

Note: Speed & endurance required of left hand
      Not just a study, but interesting music
Chpt. 7-Frederic Chopin


Listening
Polonaise in A Flat Major, Op. 10, no. 12
  by Chopin (1842)
  Listening Guide: p. 231
  Basic Set, CD 5:13

Polonaise—originated as stately processional
  dance for Polish nobility

Note: Triple meter
      Ternary—A B A’ with coda
Chpt. 8: Franz Liszt
•   Hungarian born composer (1811-1886)
    • Virtuoso pianist
• Touring concert pianist until age 36
    • Incredible performer and showman—”rock star”
    • Retired from touring & took court position
        • More time to compose
    •

Liszt’s Music
• Extremely controversial
    • Bombastic & vulgar, or the ideal music?
• Broke away from strict Classical forms
• Created symphonic poem (tone poem)
Chpt. 8-Franz Liszt


Listening
Transcendental etude no. 10 in F
 Minor (1851) by Liszt
 Listening Guide: p. 234
 Basic set, CD 5:18

Note:     Shifting tempo
          Extreme emotionalism
          High degree of difficulty for
           performer (virtuoso piece)
          Ternary form with a coda
Chpt. 9: Felix Mendelssohn
• German composer (1809-1847)
• Early to mid-Romantic period
• Developed early
    • Wrote symphonies, concertos, sonatas,
      and other works before being teenager
• Responsible for revival of Bach’s music
• Died of a stroke while touring
Mendelssohn’s Music
• Somewhat more conservative
    • Avoids emotional extremes
    • Projects both elegance and balance
Chpt. 9-Felix Mendelssohn


Listening
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in
 E Minor, Op. 64 (1844)
  by Mendelssohn
  First Movement
  Listening Guide: p. 237
  Basic Set, CD 5:24


Note:       Controlled emotionalism
            Simple, singing melodies
            Cadenza near the end for soloist
Chpt. 10: Program Music
•   Instrumental music associated with a story,
    poem, idea, or scene
    • Non-program music is called absolute music
• Usually performed with written explanation of
  the piece—a program
• In Romantic,usually for piano or orchestra
• Common types:
    • Program symphony—multi-movement/orchestral
    • Concert overture—modeled on opera overture
    • Symphonic poem (or tone poem)—1 movement,
      orchestral, flexible form
    • Incidental music—for use before or during a play
Chpt. 11: Hector Berlioz
• French composer (1803-1869)
• Mid-Romantic Period
• Wrote unconventional music
    • Passionate & unpredictable
• Major award for Fantastic Symphony
    • Autobiographical—program note p. 241
• Worked as music critic for support
• One of the first of the great conductors
Berlioz’s Music
• Imaginative, innovative orchestrations
    • Required huge resources
• Pioneered concept of idee fixe
Chpt. 11-Hector Berlioz

Listening
Symphonie Fantastique
  (Fantastic Symphony, 1830)
  by Berlioz
Fourth Movement: March to the Scaffold
  Program notes: p. 242
  Listening Guide: p. 242      Brief Set, CD 3:31

Fifth Movement: Dream of a Witches’ Sabbath
  Program notes: p. 244
  Listening Guide: p. 244      Basic Set, CD 5:34

Note: Program material and how composer related
        it to the music
      Returning melody for idee fixe
Chpt. 12: Nationalism in 19th
          Century Music
•   National identity grew during the Romantic
    • Citizens, not mercenaries now fought wars
    • Bonds of language, history & culture formed
       • Led to unifications creating Germany and Italy

• Composers deliberately gave their works
  distinctive national identity
    • Use of folksongs and folkdances
    • Created original melodies with folk flavor
    • Wrote operas and program music inspired by
      native history, legends, and landscapes
• Strongest impact in countries dominated by
  music of Germany, Austria, Italy and France
Chpt. 12-Nationalism in 19th Century Music


Listening
The Moldau (1874)
 Part of the cycle Ma Vlast (My Country)
 by Bedrich Smetana
 Symphonic Poem depicting the main river
 that flows thorough the Bohemian (Czech)
 countryside
 Program notes: p. 247
 Listening Guide: p. 248              Brief Set, CD 3:35

Note: Program material and how composer
       related it to the music
Chpt. 13: Antonin Dvorak
•   Followed Smetana composing Czech
    national music (1841-1904)
    • As teenager, played in orchestra under
      Smetana
    • Got his break when Brahms heard him

• Became director of the National
  Conservatory of Music in New York
    • Urged Americans to write nationalist music
    • Wrote From the New World during 1st year
• Later returned to Prague Conservatory
Chpt. 13-Antonin Dvorak


Listening
Symphony No. 9 in E Minor
  (From the New World, 1893)
  by Dvorak
  First Movement: Adagio; Allegro molto
  Listening Guide: p. 251
  Basic Set, CD 6:8

Note: Based upon American folk melodies
      Use of non-major/minor scales
      Sonata form (but with 3 themes, not 2)
Chpt. 14: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
• Russian, Late Romantic (1840-1893)
• Studied music in Russia
    • Did not start until age 21
    • By age 30 had a symphony, opera, tone poem
      and his1st great orchestra work
• Married, divorced two weeks later
• Supported by benefactress (patron)
    • They corresponded but never met
• Traveled Europe and United States
Tchaikovsky’s Music
• Wrote symphonies, concerti, overtures,
  operas, and more
• Fused Russian folk music & European style
Chpt. 14-Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky


Listening
Romeo and Juliet
  Overture-Fantasy
  by Tchaikovsky
  Listening Guide: p. 254
  Basic Set, CD 5:44

Note: Depicts events and characters, but is
         not a re-telling of the story
      Different melodies for characters/groups
         of characters and events
      Love theme has become very well
               known
Chpt. 15: Johannes Brahms
• German composer (1833-1897)
• Son of a musician (father played bass)
    • At 13, studied music by day/played gigs by night
• Became close friends with the Schumanns
    • Lived with Clara while Robert in asylum
    • Lifelong friends with Clara, he never married
• Studied earlier composers’ works in detail
    • Especially Bach, Haydn, Mozart & Beethoven

Brahms’s Music
• Considered somewhat conservative due to
  his use of classical forms
• Wrote in all traditional forms except opera
Chpt. 15-Johannes Brahms


Listening
Ein Deutsches Requiem
  (A German Requiem, 1868)
  by Brahms
  4th Mvt.: How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place
  Chorus and orchestra
  Listening Guide: p. 258
  Brief Set, CD 3:49

Note: Movements—not a Catholic mass
      Based on passages from Martin Luther’s
        translation of the Bible
Chpt. 16: Giuseppe Verdi
• Italian (1813-1901)
• Mid- and late Romantic composer
• Studied in Busseto & Milan
    • Supported by patron
    • Married patron’s daughter
• Known for opera
    • Wrote operas with political overtones
       • Nationalist, supported unification of Italy
• Critics blasted him scandalous subjects
    • Seemed to condone rape, suicide, and “free love”
Verdi’s Music
• Wrote for middle-class audience
• Favorite topic: love story w/ unhappy ending
    • Final opera ends with “All the world’s a joke!”
Chpt. 16-Giuseppe Verdi


Listening
La donna e mobile
  (Woman is fickle)
  Aria from Rigoletto (1851)
  by Verdi
  Listening Guide: p. 262
  Basic Set, CD 6:20

Note: Middle class topic, as in Classical period
      Text
      Familiar melody
Chpt. 17: Giacomo Puccini
• Italian (1858-1924)
• Late-Romantic composer
    • Known primarily for operas
• Became wealthy and world famous due
  to the popularity of his music
    • Opera La Boheme 1st major success
• Made use of Exoticism, setting his
  operas in foreign places
• His operas make use of short melodies,
  simple phrases, and realistic dialog
    • Artistic style verismo (reality): “true to life”
Chpt. 17-Giacomo Puccini


Listening
La Boheme (1896)
  by Verdi
  Act I: Scene between Rodolfo and Mimi
  through Rodolfo’s aria:
  Che gelida manina (How cold your little hand is!)
  Storyline of meeting of Rodolfo and Mimi (p. 264-65)

  Listening Guide: p. 265        Brief Set, CD 3:50

Note: Dialog is more realistic
      Tempo shifts to accentuate music & text
Chpt. 18: Richard Wagner
• German (1813-1883)
• Mid to late Romantic composer
• Studied in Germany
    • Later moved to Paris—did not work out
    • Returned to Germany, got in trouble
    • Finally settled & succeeded in Munich, Bavaria
• Lived large off of others—ran up debts
• Wrote in many styles, famous for opera
Wagner’s Music
•   His works were large, full blown affairs
•   No recitatives & arias—just non-stop music
•   Adapted idee fixe to leitmotif approach
•   Huge orchestrations for operas
    • Requires big voices to be heard
Chpt. 18-Richard Wagner


Listening
Die Walkure (The Valkyrie, 1856)
  by Wagner
  Act I: Love scene (conclusion)
  Storyline of the Ring Cycle & this scene (p. 272)

  Listening Guide: p. 274         Brief Set, CD 4:1

Note: Huge production, large orchestrations
      Big, powerful voices required
      Use of leitmotif for people, places, things
        and ideas

V romantic

  • 1.
    Music: An Appreciation 4thBrief Edition by Roger Kamien Unit V The Romantic Period 1820-1900 Presentation Development: Robert Elliott University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
  • 2.
    The Romantic Period • Time-line: • Monroe Doctrine—1823 • Hugo: Hunchback of Notre Dame—1831 • Dickens: Oliver Twist—1837 • Dumas: The Three Musketeers—1844 • Poe: The Raven—1845 • Darwin: Origin of Species—1859 • American Civil War—1861-1865 • Twain: Huckleberry Finn—1884 • Bell invents telephone—1876
  • 3.
    Romanticism (1820-1900) • Stressed emotion, imagination and individualism • Emotional subjectivity basis of arts • Favorite artistic topics: • Fantasy and the supernatural • Middle Ages/concept of chivalry & romance • Architecture revived Gothic elements • Nature: as mirror of the human heart • Period of the Industrial Revolution • Resulted in social and economic changes
  • 4.
    Chpt. 1: Romanticismin Music • Many important Romantic composers • Franz Schubert • Bedrich Smetana • Robert Schumann • Antonin Dvorak • Clara Schumann • Peter Tchaikovsky • Frederic Chopin • Johannes Brahms • Franz Liszt • Giuseppe Verdi • Felix Mendelssohn • Giacomo Puccini • Hector Berlioz • Richard Wagner • Continued use of Classical period forms • Much individual alteration and adjustment • Greater range of tone color, dynamics, and pitch than in Classical period • Expanded harmony—complex chords
  • 5.
    Chpt. 1-Romanticism inMusic Characteristics of Romantic Music Individuality of Style • Composers want uniquely identifiable music Expressive Aims and Subjects • All approaches were explored: • Flamboyance, intimacy, unpredictability, melancholy, rapture, longing, … • Romantic love still focus of songs & operas • Lovers frequently depicted as unhappy and facing overwhelming obstacles • Dark topics draw composers Nationalism and Exoticism • Nationalism: music with a national identity • Exoticism: intentionally imply foreign culture • Frequently in operas with foreign settings
  • 6.
    Chpt. 1-Romanticism inMusic Characteristics of Romantic Music Program Music • Association with a story/poem/idea/scene • Understanding the music enhanced through reading program or viewing associated work Expressive Tone Color • Composers tried to create unique sounds • Blending of existing instruments • Addition of new instruments • Tone color important to emotional content Colorful Harmony • Chords built w/ notes not in traditional keys • Harmonic instability consciously used device
  • 7.
    Chpt. 1-Romanticism inMusic Characteristics of Romantic Music Expanded Range of Dynamics, Pitch & Tempo • Dynamics ff, pp expanded to ffff & pppp • Extremely high and low pitches were added • Changes in mood frequently underlined by (sometimes subtle) shifts in tempo Forms: Miniature and Monumental • Some composers went on for hours • Required hundreds of performers • Others music lasted only a few minutes • • Composers wrote symphonies, sonatas, string quartets, concertos, operas, and many other Classically traditional works
  • 8.
    Chpt. 2: RomanticComposers and Their Public • Demise of the patronage system • Composers regarded themselves as “free spirits” • Decline in aristocratic fortune—Napoleonic wars • New urban classes/new musical topics • Public was entranced by virtuosity • Piano became a fixture in most homes • Composers/audience: same social class • Few composers financially successful
  • 9.
    Chpt. 3: TheArt Song • Composition for solo voice and piano • Accompaniment integral part of the song • Linked to vast amount of poetry in this period • Composers interpret poem’s, mood, atmosphere and imagery into music • Mood summed up at end with piano postlude Strophic and Through-Composed Form • Strophic form repeats music for each verse • Through-composed—new music each verse •Sometimes modified strophic form used The Song Cycle • Group of songs unified in some manner • Storyline or musical idea may link the songs
  • 10.
    Chpt. 4: FranzSchubert • Born in Vienna (1797-1828) • Early Romantic composer • Prodigious output • When 18 years old wrote 143 songs • At 19 years wrote 179 works • Included 2 symphonies, opera & mass Schubert’s Music • Wrote over 600 songs • Also symphonies, string quartets, other chamber music, sonatas, masses, operas, & piano works • The Unfinished Symphony: only 2 movements, not 4
  • 11.
    Chpt. 4-Franz Schubert Listening Erlkonig(The Erlking), 1815 by Franz Schubert Listening Guide: p. 219 Brief Set, CD 3:12 Based upon narrative ballad with supernatural topic by Goethe Note: Through-composed form Piano portrays galloping horse Different characters have their notes pitched at different levels to emphasize dialog Dramatic ending
  • 12.
    Chpt. 5: RobertSchumann • German, early to mid-Romantic (1810-1856) • Wanted to be piano virtuoso • Problem with hand ended his ambition • Treatments & gadget made problem worse • Married his piano teacher’s daughter • Temperamentally unsuited for some of the musical positions he attempted • Committed to asylum where he died Robert Schumann’s Music • Wrote piano pieces, art songs, and later symphonies • Piano pieces and art songs frequently in cycles
  • 13.
    Chpt. 5-Robert Schumann Listening FromCarnaval (1834), a cycle of program music by Robert Schumann Estrella, for his first fiancée Ternary form, note syncopation in B section Listening Guide p. 223 Brief Set, CD 3:18 Reconnaissance (Reunion) Ternary form, note B section shift from homophonic to polyphonic texture Listening Guide p. 223 Brief Set, CD 3:20
  • 14.
    Chpt. 6: ClaraWieck Schumann • German (1819-1896) • A leading 19th Century pianist • One of 1st well-known women composers • Married Robert Schumann • Stopped composing after his death • Focused on performing his works • Pair was friends w/ Johannes Brahms Clara Schumann’s Music • Stopped composing at age 36 • Considered herself primarily a performer • Wrote songs, piano pieces, a concerto…
  • 15.
    Chpt. 6-Clara WieckSchumann Listening Romance in G Minor for Violin and Piano, Op. 22, No. 2 (1853) by Clara Schumann Listening Guide: p. 226 Brief Set, CD 3:22 “Romance” often used to indicate short lyrical piece for piano or solo instrument and piano Note: Ternary form Pizzicato (plucked) violin at end
  • 16.
    Chpt. 7: FredericChopin • Polish born musician (1810-1849) • Early to mid-Romantic composer • Came to Paris at age 21 • Europe’s Romantic Period artistic capital • Wrote almost exclusively for piano • Made extensive use of piano pedals • Composed mostly for chamber concert • Avoided concert halls Chopin’s Music • Developed personal style at early age • Not program music, but evokes an image • Unique harmonic style influenced others
  • 17.
    Chpt. 7-Frederic Chopin Listening Nocturnein E Flat Major, op. 9, no. 2 by Chopin (1830-31) Listening Guide: p. 229 Brief Set, CD 3:27 Nocturne (night piece)-slow, lyrical, intimate piece for piano Note: Expressive, emotional presentation with subtle shifts in tempo and dynamics Pedal notation on music (p.229)
  • 18.
    Chpt. 7-Frederic Chopin Listening Etudein C Minor, Op. 10, no. 12 Revolutionary (1831?) by Chopin Listening Guide: p. 230 Brief Set, CD 3:28 Etude—study piece focusing on a specific technique in performance Note: Speed & endurance required of left hand Not just a study, but interesting music
  • 19.
    Chpt. 7-Frederic Chopin Listening Polonaisein A Flat Major, Op. 10, no. 12 by Chopin (1842) Listening Guide: p. 231 Basic Set, CD 5:13 Polonaise—originated as stately processional dance for Polish nobility Note: Triple meter Ternary—A B A’ with coda
  • 20.
    Chpt. 8: FranzLiszt • Hungarian born composer (1811-1886) • Virtuoso pianist • Touring concert pianist until age 36 • Incredible performer and showman—”rock star” • Retired from touring & took court position • More time to compose • Liszt’s Music • Extremely controversial • Bombastic & vulgar, or the ideal music? • Broke away from strict Classical forms • Created symphonic poem (tone poem)
  • 21.
    Chpt. 8-Franz Liszt Listening Transcendentaletude no. 10 in F Minor (1851) by Liszt Listening Guide: p. 234 Basic set, CD 5:18 Note: Shifting tempo Extreme emotionalism High degree of difficulty for performer (virtuoso piece) Ternary form with a coda
  • 22.
    Chpt. 9: FelixMendelssohn • German composer (1809-1847) • Early to mid-Romantic period • Developed early • Wrote symphonies, concertos, sonatas, and other works before being teenager • Responsible for revival of Bach’s music • Died of a stroke while touring Mendelssohn’s Music • Somewhat more conservative • Avoids emotional extremes • Projects both elegance and balance
  • 23.
    Chpt. 9-Felix Mendelssohn Listening Concertofor Violin and Orchestra in E Minor, Op. 64 (1844) by Mendelssohn First Movement Listening Guide: p. 237 Basic Set, CD 5:24 Note: Controlled emotionalism Simple, singing melodies Cadenza near the end for soloist
  • 24.
    Chpt. 10: ProgramMusic • Instrumental music associated with a story, poem, idea, or scene • Non-program music is called absolute music • Usually performed with written explanation of the piece—a program • In Romantic,usually for piano or orchestra • Common types: • Program symphony—multi-movement/orchestral • Concert overture—modeled on opera overture • Symphonic poem (or tone poem)—1 movement, orchestral, flexible form • Incidental music—for use before or during a play
  • 25.
    Chpt. 11: HectorBerlioz • French composer (1803-1869) • Mid-Romantic Period • Wrote unconventional music • Passionate & unpredictable • Major award for Fantastic Symphony • Autobiographical—program note p. 241 • Worked as music critic for support • One of the first of the great conductors Berlioz’s Music • Imaginative, innovative orchestrations • Required huge resources • Pioneered concept of idee fixe
  • 26.
    Chpt. 11-Hector Berlioz Listening SymphonieFantastique (Fantastic Symphony, 1830) by Berlioz Fourth Movement: March to the Scaffold Program notes: p. 242 Listening Guide: p. 242 Brief Set, CD 3:31 Fifth Movement: Dream of a Witches’ Sabbath Program notes: p. 244 Listening Guide: p. 244 Basic Set, CD 5:34 Note: Program material and how composer related it to the music Returning melody for idee fixe
  • 27.
    Chpt. 12: Nationalismin 19th Century Music • National identity grew during the Romantic • Citizens, not mercenaries now fought wars • Bonds of language, history & culture formed • Led to unifications creating Germany and Italy • Composers deliberately gave their works distinctive national identity • Use of folksongs and folkdances • Created original melodies with folk flavor • Wrote operas and program music inspired by native history, legends, and landscapes • Strongest impact in countries dominated by music of Germany, Austria, Italy and France
  • 28.
    Chpt. 12-Nationalism in19th Century Music Listening The Moldau (1874) Part of the cycle Ma Vlast (My Country) by Bedrich Smetana Symphonic Poem depicting the main river that flows thorough the Bohemian (Czech) countryside Program notes: p. 247 Listening Guide: p. 248 Brief Set, CD 3:35 Note: Program material and how composer related it to the music
  • 29.
    Chpt. 13: AntoninDvorak • Followed Smetana composing Czech national music (1841-1904) • As teenager, played in orchestra under Smetana • Got his break when Brahms heard him • Became director of the National Conservatory of Music in New York • Urged Americans to write nationalist music • Wrote From the New World during 1st year • Later returned to Prague Conservatory
  • 30.
    Chpt. 13-Antonin Dvorak Listening SymphonyNo. 9 in E Minor (From the New World, 1893) by Dvorak First Movement: Adagio; Allegro molto Listening Guide: p. 251 Basic Set, CD 6:8 Note: Based upon American folk melodies Use of non-major/minor scales Sonata form (but with 3 themes, not 2)
  • 31.
    Chpt. 14: PeterIlyich Tchaikovsky • Russian, Late Romantic (1840-1893) • Studied music in Russia • Did not start until age 21 • By age 30 had a symphony, opera, tone poem and his1st great orchestra work • Married, divorced two weeks later • Supported by benefactress (patron) • They corresponded but never met • Traveled Europe and United States Tchaikovsky’s Music • Wrote symphonies, concerti, overtures, operas, and more • Fused Russian folk music & European style
  • 32.
    Chpt. 14-Peter IlyichTchaikovsky Listening Romeo and Juliet Overture-Fantasy by Tchaikovsky Listening Guide: p. 254 Basic Set, CD 5:44 Note: Depicts events and characters, but is not a re-telling of the story Different melodies for characters/groups of characters and events Love theme has become very well known
  • 33.
    Chpt. 15: JohannesBrahms • German composer (1833-1897) • Son of a musician (father played bass) • At 13, studied music by day/played gigs by night • Became close friends with the Schumanns • Lived with Clara while Robert in asylum • Lifelong friends with Clara, he never married • Studied earlier composers’ works in detail • Especially Bach, Haydn, Mozart & Beethoven Brahms’s Music • Considered somewhat conservative due to his use of classical forms • Wrote in all traditional forms except opera
  • 34.
    Chpt. 15-Johannes Brahms Listening EinDeutsches Requiem (A German Requiem, 1868) by Brahms 4th Mvt.: How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place Chorus and orchestra Listening Guide: p. 258 Brief Set, CD 3:49 Note: Movements—not a Catholic mass Based on passages from Martin Luther’s translation of the Bible
  • 35.
    Chpt. 16: GiuseppeVerdi • Italian (1813-1901) • Mid- and late Romantic composer • Studied in Busseto & Milan • Supported by patron • Married patron’s daughter • Known for opera • Wrote operas with political overtones • Nationalist, supported unification of Italy • Critics blasted him scandalous subjects • Seemed to condone rape, suicide, and “free love” Verdi’s Music • Wrote for middle-class audience • Favorite topic: love story w/ unhappy ending • Final opera ends with “All the world’s a joke!”
  • 36.
    Chpt. 16-Giuseppe Verdi Listening Ladonna e mobile (Woman is fickle) Aria from Rigoletto (1851) by Verdi Listening Guide: p. 262 Basic Set, CD 6:20 Note: Middle class topic, as in Classical period Text Familiar melody
  • 37.
    Chpt. 17: GiacomoPuccini • Italian (1858-1924) • Late-Romantic composer • Known primarily for operas • Became wealthy and world famous due to the popularity of his music • Opera La Boheme 1st major success • Made use of Exoticism, setting his operas in foreign places • His operas make use of short melodies, simple phrases, and realistic dialog • Artistic style verismo (reality): “true to life”
  • 38.
    Chpt. 17-Giacomo Puccini Listening LaBoheme (1896) by Verdi Act I: Scene between Rodolfo and Mimi through Rodolfo’s aria: Che gelida manina (How cold your little hand is!) Storyline of meeting of Rodolfo and Mimi (p. 264-65) Listening Guide: p. 265 Brief Set, CD 3:50 Note: Dialog is more realistic Tempo shifts to accentuate music & text
  • 39.
    Chpt. 18: RichardWagner • German (1813-1883) • Mid to late Romantic composer • Studied in Germany • Later moved to Paris—did not work out • Returned to Germany, got in trouble • Finally settled & succeeded in Munich, Bavaria • Lived large off of others—ran up debts • Wrote in many styles, famous for opera Wagner’s Music • His works were large, full blown affairs • No recitatives & arias—just non-stop music • Adapted idee fixe to leitmotif approach • Huge orchestrations for operas • Requires big voices to be heard
  • 40.
    Chpt. 18-Richard Wagner Listening DieWalkure (The Valkyrie, 1856) by Wagner Act I: Love scene (conclusion) Storyline of the Ring Cycle & this scene (p. 272) Listening Guide: p. 274 Brief Set, CD 4:1 Note: Huge production, large orchestrations Big, powerful voices required Use of leitmotif for people, places, things and ideas