Romantic Era (1810-1920)
The Romantic Era is from 1810 – 1920, it is then separated into two different periods called ‘Early Romantic Period’ (1810 – 1850) and ‘Late Romantic Period’ (1851 – 1920). Music during this time was ordered and refined, the peak of emotional content and the production of some of the most famous works.
During the 19th Century, a new era was taking place; the industrial period, the most innovative period in history. This century witnessed the invention of electrical light, the telephone, motorcar and more. However in the music realm it was very much the same, orchestras began to increase in size reaching to almost a thousand by the end of the period (thanks to Mahler: Symphony 8). The new rotary system began to develop the brass instrument whilst the woodwind begins to improve while the pianoforte (the long dominated instrument) begins to become popular over the fortepiano, because of the pianoforte’s profound emotional contents.
The Romantic composers continued writing symphonies, concerti, sonatas and operas just like the Classical composers did. In fact, the Romantic composers did not reject the Classical Era’s development but emulated the great Classicists: Mozart, Haydn, Gluck and especially Beethoven. Romantics did keep the basic forms, as well as melody, rhythm, harmony practices, harmonic progressions and tuning set in the Classical Era, but was able to compose and perform much freely, this was the introduction of rubato and chromaticism. Rubato is the use of prolonging a certain note value clashing to the other notes; this practice was one of the main features as well as chromaticism that helped build the Romantic Era. Harmony and form was not particularly strict as it was constantly changing and had sections where some sections were not balanced and structured strictly. Structure was unrestricted, as melody and harmony was considered the vital aspect of a Romantic composition.
The difference between the Classical and Romantic music was the attitudes towards the ‘necessity of composing’. In the Classical Era, composers were much interested in forms, harmonies and melodies that provided an easy-audible structure in music. In a sonata there would symmetry in each section creating a sense of balance and there would be transposition to the proper keys. In the Romantic Era, however, provided structure, but would be considered in Classical times as reaching the boundaries as further exploration would be needed to have it published.
During the 19th Century, a new era was taking place; the industrial period, the most innovative period in history. This century witnessed the invention of electrical light, the telephone, motorcar and more. However in the music realm it was very much the same, orchestras began to increase in size reaching to almost a thousand by the end of the period (thanks to Mahler: Symphony 8). The new rotary system began to develop the brass instrument whilst the woodwind begins to improve while the pianoforte (the long dominated instrument) begins to become popular over the fortepiano, because of the pianoforte’s profound emotional contents.
The Romantic composers continued writing symphonies, concerti, sonatas and operas just like the Classical composers did. In fact, the Romantic composers did not reject the Classical Era’s development but emulated the great Classicists: Mozart, Haydn, Gluck and especially Beethoven. Romantics did keep the basic forms, as well as melody, rhythm, harmony practices, harmonic progressions and tuning set in the Classical Era, but was able to compose and perform much freely, this was the introduction of rubato and chromaticism. Rubato is the use of prolonging a certain note value clashing to the other notes; this practice was one of the main features as well as chromaticism that helped build the Romantic Era. Harmony and form was not particularly strict as it was constantly changing and had sections where some sections were not balanced and structured strictly. Structure was unrestricted, as melody and harmony was considered the vital aspect of a Romantic composition.
The difference between the Classical and Romantic music was the attitudes towards the ‘necessity of composing’. In the Classical Era, composers were much interested in forms, harmonies and melodies that provided an easy-audible structure in music. In a sonata there would symmetry in each section creating a sense of balance and there would be transposition to the proper keys. In the Romantic Era, however, provided structure, but would be considered in Classical times as reaching the boundaries as further exploration would be needed to have it published.
Characteristics Summary
The Romantic Era was the liberation from the Classical era, of the strict laws of balance and restraint, while moving away from the Classical Era, they focused on artistic freedom, experimentation and creativity of harmony and melodies. Music was very expressive and personal as the melody was the dominant feature in the Romantic Era. Composers started using folk tunes to articulate to the audience their nationality and cultural identity.
Composers began exploring the lengths of forms from the previous era and challenge its potentials and limitations, resulting to new harmonic practices and tonal relationships. Through the use of chromaticism and dissonance, colour was added as a result of a composer who introduced this was; Frederick Chopin, a virtuoso pianist and prolific composer. Orchestral instruments were added such as the brass instruments to give a powerful and dominant atmosphere in the orchestra.
New forms were introduced such as the symphonic poem, an orchestral work that portrays a story or literary/artistic background music. Another form introduced and continually developed was the art song, a vocal composition which emphasises on the text written. Opera however became fully developed and was just as popular back in the 18th Century, as it continued telling a story but musically.
In the Romantic Era, virtuosity became a main focus in music, challenging every musician who performed the composition. Singers, pianists, violinists- were all challenged by compositions made by Romantic composers. Most composers in the Romantic period were usually an exceptionally virtuoso performer as well.
Composers began exploring the lengths of forms from the previous era and challenge its potentials and limitations, resulting to new harmonic practices and tonal relationships. Through the use of chromaticism and dissonance, colour was added as a result of a composer who introduced this was; Frederick Chopin, a virtuoso pianist and prolific composer. Orchestral instruments were added such as the brass instruments to give a powerful and dominant atmosphere in the orchestra.
New forms were introduced such as the symphonic poem, an orchestral work that portrays a story or literary/artistic background music. Another form introduced and continually developed was the art song, a vocal composition which emphasises on the text written. Opera however became fully developed and was just as popular back in the 18th Century, as it continued telling a story but musically.
In the Romantic Era, virtuosity became a main focus in music, challenging every musician who performed the composition. Singers, pianists, violinists- were all challenged by compositions made by Romantic composers. Most composers in the Romantic period were usually an exceptionally virtuoso performer as well.