What You Need to Know About Romantic Period Classical Music
Contents
A comprehensive guide to the Romantic period in classical music, including key composers, important works, and stylistic characteristics.
The Basics of Romantic Period Classical Music
The Romantic Period of classical music lasted from the early 1800s until the early 1900s. The music of this era was marked by its emphasis on emotion and imagination, as well as its departure from the strict rules of the Classical period. If you’re new to classical music, the Romantic period is a great place to start exploring. In this article, we’ll introduce you to the basics of Romantic Period classical music.
What is Romantic Period Classical Music?
Romantic Period classical music is a style of music that covers the period from approximately 1815 to 1910. It is characterized by highly emotional melodies and harmonies, as well as expanded instrumentation. Composers of this era sought to defiance the order and restraint of the previous Classical period, instead striving for expressive and colorful music. Notable composers of Romantic Period classical music include Beethoven, Schubert, Chopin, and Brahms.
The Characteristics of Romantic Period Classical Music
The Romantic period of classical music is generally accepted to have lasted from the early 1800s to the early 1900s. This was a time when composers were influenced by art, literature, and nature and expressed these feelings and emotions in their music. The music of the Romantic period is very different from what came before it, and it laid the foundation for much of what would come after.
The following are some of the most important characteristics of Romantic period classical music:
-It is expressive and emotional, rather than rational and objective.
-It often makes use of chromaticism, or unexpected harmonic changes.
-It frequently employs long phrases and sprawling melodies.
-It makes use of new technologies, such as the piano and the orchestra, to create new soundscapes.
-It often tells a story or depicts a scene, rather than simply being abstract.
The History of Romantic Period Classical Music
Romantic period classical music is a genre of Western art music that was developed in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It is characterized by expressive and emotional melodies, harmonies, and orchestration. The period saw a dramatic increase in the size and complexity of orchestras, as well as the development of new instruments such as the piano and tuba.
The Origins of Romantic Period Classical Music
The Romantic Period in classical music ran from approximately 1815 to 1910. This era in music history saw composers begin to rebel against the constraints of the previous Classical Period, which lasted from 1750 to 1820. They began to write music that expressed their own feelings and emotions, rather than following the set rules of forms such as sonatas and symphonies.
One of the most important changes that took place during the Romantic Period was the expansion of the orchestra. New instruments were added, such as the clarinet, trombone, and tuba. This enabled composers to create richer, more complex soundscapes. The piano also became increasingly popular during this time, thanks to its ability to produce a wide range of dynamics (loudness and softness).
Composers such as Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Schubert, Felix Mendelssohn, and Frederic Chopin were pivotal in shaping the sound of Romantic Period classical music. They pushed boundaries with their innovative use of harmony (the combination of different notes played together) and melody (a tune that can be sung or played on an instrument).
The Romantic Period was a time of great change in Western society. It saw the Industrial Revolution transform countries such as England and Germany, while at the same time there was a rise in Nationalism across Europe. This social upheaval had a profound effect on the arts, with many composers writing music that reflected these changes. For example, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 (Eroica), which was composed in 1803, includes a funeral march that some believe is a tribute to Napoleon Bonaparte (who had recently declared himself emperor). This symphony was considered so revolutionary at the time that it was initially banned by The Vatican!
If you’re interested in learning more about Romantic Period classical music, there are plenty of resources available online and in libraries. This period in music history has left us with some truly unforgettable pieces that continue to be performed and loved today.
The Development of Romantic Period Classical Music
The Romantic period in music lasted from around 1815 to 1910. This was a time when composers were influenced by their emotions and personal experiences, resulting in some of the most passionate and stirring music ever written.
The early years of the Romantic period were dominated by the classical style of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven. However, as the century progressed, composers began to experiment with new ideas and sounds. The result was a wider range of styles, instrumentation and expression.
One of the most important developments during the Romantic period was the rise of the symphony orchestra. This gave composers a much larger palette of sounds to work with, and allowed them to create more emotionally powerful music.
Another significant development was the rise of opera. This new form of musical drama allowed composers to tell stories that were both emotionally powerful and musically innovative.
The Romantic period also saw the birth of the piano concerto and lieder (German art songs). These new genres allowed composers to show off their virtuosity and express their deepest emotions.
Some of the most famous composers from the Romantic period include Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Schubert, Felix Mendelssohn, Frederic Chopin, Giuseppe Verdi, Richard Wagner and Johannes Brahms.
The Great Composers of Romantic Period Classical Music
The Romantic period of classical music lasted from about 1815 to 1910. This was a time when composers were exploring new and innovative ways to express themselves and their emotions through music. Some of the most famous and well-loved composers of this period include Beethoven, Brahms, Chopin, Liszt, Mendelssohn, Schubert, and Tchaikovsky.
Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven (December 16, 1770 – March 26, 1827) was a German pianist and composer of the late Classical and early Romantic eras. He is widely considered one of the greatest composers of all time and his work has had a profound effect on Western classical music.
Born in the city of Bonn in the Electorate of Cologne, Beethoven’s musical talent was apparent at an early age. His father, Johann van Beethoven, taught him to play violin and piano; however, Johann’s abusive methods- particularly his habit of beating Ludwig for missed notes- led to the boy’s withdrawal from musical instruction at the age of 11. Fortunately, Ludwig soon came under the tutelage of Christian Gottlob Neefe, an experienced musician who recognized Ludwig’s prodigious talent and sought to develop it.
Neefe introduced Ludwig to the works of the great German composer Johann Sebastian Bach and helped him secure a position as assistant organist at the court in Bonn- a position which provided him with much needed income and exposure to a wide variety of music. It was also during this time that Beethoven began to lose his hearing; by 1814, he was completely deaf.
Despite his deafness, Beethoven composed some of his greatest works during the last 10 years of his life, including his Ninth Symphony (featuring the famous “Ode to Joy” melody) and Missa Solemnis. He also continued to perform as a pianist; in 1814 he gave highly acclaimed public performances of his Piano Concerto No. 5 (“Emperor Concerto”) and Piano Sonata No. 14 (“Moonlight Sonata”).
Ludwig van Beethoven died in 1827 at the age of 56. His music continues to be performed all over the world and he remains one of the most influential figures in classical music.
Franz Schubert
Franz Peter Schubert (January 31, 1797 – November 19, 1828) was an Austrian composer of the late Classical and early Romantic eras. Despite his short lifetime, Schubert left behind a vast oeuvre, including more than 600 secular vocal works (mainly Lieder), seven complete symphonies, sacred music, operas, incidental music and a large body of piano and chamber music. His major works include settings of the Erlkönig and Die schöne Müllerin.
Born to a musical family in Himmelpfortgrund (now a part of Alsergrund),Vienna, Schubert’s gift for music was evident from an early age. His father taught him violin; viola; and guitar. His mother trained his singing voice. He had regular instruction in organ from Michael Holzer and singing lessons with Antonio Salieri–both were experienced and respected musicians in Vienna. At age six he began receiving general musical instruction at his school from Franz Theodor Chorinsky. At age nine he took piano lessons with Johanna Erismann (née Scherer). He composed his earliest works in the years 1810–1811 while studying at his father’s school; they were preserved thanks to the efforts of Schubert’s brother Ferdinand who copied most of them out by hand.
In October 1813, Schubert became a pupil at the Imperial Court Chapel choir school run by Antonio Salieri; he sang in the imperial chapel choir alongside Mozart’s son Franz Xaver Wolfgang Mozart as one of 12 boys selected that year out of 400 applicants. He also attended plays performed at court Theater am Kärntnertor; these included Johann Wolfgang Goethe’s Faust (1814). A tour to Venice during May 1816 spurred Schubert on to compose more works for voice and piano despite his failing health;Die Glocke (“The Bell”), D366 was composed during this time as well as Gesang der Geister über den Wassern ,D714 which he wrote on the journey home upon hearing that his mother was ill.
In March 1827, Schubert agreed to tutor Carl Maria von Bardeleben free of charge in exchange for lodgings; Bardeleben was living beyond his means after being disinherited by his father so teaching him could potentially earn Schubert some desperately needed money. Up to this point Schubert had earned very little money from his compositions and had to rely on friends and supporters such as Johann Michael Vogl for financial help–Vogl sometimes paid for copies of Schubert’s work to be made so they could be distributed among wealthy patrons such as Prince Lobkowitz or Baron von Swieten who might be willing to provide further financial assistance . A few months later Bardeleben left for Dusseldorf without warning or paying his debt to Schubert, forcing him once again into poverty .
Schubert entered into another teaching arrangement with Emanuel Hüttenbrenner in November 1827;Hüttenbrenner gave him rooms rent-free in return for music lessons although once again no money changed hands up front. This situation lasted until September 1828 when disagreements over composition style led to a falling out between the two men .
Felix Mendelssohn
Felix Mendelssohn was a German composer, pianist, organist and conductor of the early Romantic period. He was born into a prominent Jewish family in Hamburg, Germany, but he was raised Christian and converted to Lutheranism as an adult. Mendelssohn’s most famous work is his “Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” which he wrote when he was just 17 years old. He also composed music for the popular oratorio “Elijah” and the piano concerto “Piano Concerto No. 2 in D Minor.” Mendelssohn’s music was popular during his lifetime and continues to be performed and recorded today.
The Influence of Romantic Period Classical Music
The Romantic period of classical music lasted from the early 1800s to the early 1900s. This was a time of great change in music, as composers began to experiment with new ways of expressing themselves. The result was a wide variety of new and exciting music, which has had a lasting impact on the world of classical music.
The Impact of Romantic Period Classical Music on Today’s Music
The Romantic period in classical music lasted from the early 1800s to the early 1900s. This was a time when composers began to look inward and express their own emotions and feelings in their music, rather than following the classical rules of structure and form. The result was some of the most beautiful, passion-filled melodies ever written.
While you may not hear a lot of romantic period classical music on the radio today, its influence can still be felt in many of today’s popular songs. Many of the melodic ideas and harmonic progressions that were pioneered during this period are still used by today’s songwriters. So, even if you’re not a huge fan of classical music, there’s a good chance that you’ve been indirectly influenced by it.
