THE ROMANTIC PERIOD 1820 - 1900 THE TRENDS - Composers rebelled against traditions of the Classical Era and sought personal fulfillment and self expression. - No restrictions on the length of a piece and the variety of instruments used. - Love was only one of the themes that interested Romantic writers and composers. - Emotions such as pain, grief, rage and joy were themes INSTRUMENTS • The orchestra nearly doubled in size: - more woodwind, brass and percussion! • New key systems were added to the woodwind instruments which made them much easier to play. • Brass instruments now have valves- larger range, more styling THE ROMANTIC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Tuba More Percussion Harp ROMANTIC ERA MUSIC •Composers “broke the rules” of composition from the Classical era. •Composers focus on expression and feelings. • Composers use more diverse dynamics. ROMANTIC ERA MUSIC continued… • Length of pieces grows- some pieces lasting up to 1 hour long! • Folk music incorporated- shows nationalism and pride for home country. • Bold new harmonies were used. ORCHESTRAL MUSIC • There are three main types of orchestral music developed in the Romantic Period. 1.Romantic Symphony 2.Tone Poem 3.Concert Overture THE ROMANTIC SYMPHONY • expanded version of the classical symphony • included many more instruments • flexible number of movements • doubled in time- some an hour or more! • program music- music that tells a story. Tone Poems Long, one-movement works that tell a story. THE OVERTURE • Traditionally began Operas to set the mood for the audience. • Composers began writing concert overtures- not attached to an opera NATIONALISTIC MUSIC • Nationalism= pride for ones country. • Composers to incorporate native folk songs and styles into their music. FREDERIC CHOPIN 1810-1849 POLAND, FRANCE MILITARY POLONAISE- OP 40 NO 1 IN A MAJOR GIUSEPPE VERDI 1813-1901 ITALY ANVIL CHORUS FROM IL TROVATORE PIOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY 1840-1893 RUSSIA SYMPHONY NO. 5 ACHILLE-CLAUDE DEBUSSY 1862-1918 FRANCE PRELUDE TO THE AFTERNOON OF A FAWN ADDITIONAL MUSIC EXAMPLES 1. Concerto for Violin and Orchestra Felix Mendelssohn Violin Concerto 2. “In the Hall of the Mountain King” Edvard Grieg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBsFYKzhk5E.