Lecture points
Review sheet for Romantic era
Romanticism
- a reaction to the Industrial revolution, French revolution, Enlightenment
- discomfort with European power, ideals, restlessness
- bad: everything rational, orderly
- good: nature, intuition, emotion
- led to nationalism, liberalism, extremism, individualism
- role in music: spontaneity (impromptu, folk-like simplicity, virtuosic performance), affect (program music, departure from rigid form)
Representatives
- Robert Schumann (chamber music)
- Felix Mendelssohn (symphonist)
- Joseph Brahms (symphonist)
- Franz Liszt (virtuoso pianist)
- Tchaikovsky (Russian ballet)
- Richard Wagner (German opera)
Musical styles
- larger ensembles, denser instrumentation
- increasing use of chromaticism
- longer works with more deviations from classical structures
- virtuoso works that showcase extreme skill
Genres
- opera: larger, more elaborate, darker and more realism
- nationalist dances and forms: polonaise, mazurka
- symphony: larger ensembles, extended forms and scope
- solo concerto: more experimentation with form
- solo and chamber works: for domestic use or for virtuosic performance
- art song: domestic chamber music, closely connected to new national literature and folk styles
History and society
- Industrial revolution in full swing, many social problems arising from migration and disparity
- with increasing wealth and new technologies available for the masses, there is a new concern for the individual
- American civil war foreshadows the industrialized destruction of the world wars
- Europe at height of imperial power, but with growing dissent both abroad in colonies and at home
- Egalitarian and Marxist philosophies challenge European powers, nationalist movements seek to break free from their ruling empires
Patronage
- musicians (artists in general) are portrayed as heroes, superhuman geniuses, sacrificing their tumultuous lives to their art
- musicians are deeply involved in philosophy and politics, writing controversial essays and music, challenging authorities and attracting censorship
- some wealthy patrons sponsor individuals, otherwise most artists self employed and rely on public for income