The Romantic Period: Nationalism, Gothic Romance, Emotion, and Exoticism

1. “If the Enlightenment was a movement which started among a tiny elite and slowly spread to make its influence felt throughout society, Romanticism was more widespread both in its origins and influence. No other intellectual/artistic movement has had comparable variety, reach, and staying power since the end of the Middle Ages”... The Romantic Period 1820 - 1910

2. Key Features • Nationalism: The concept of national identity, derived from the consequence of dwelling on creative folk genius. French Romantic painting is full of themes relating to the tumultuous political events of the period and later Romantic music often draws its inspiration from national folk music’s. Goethe deliberately places German folkloric themes and images on a par with Classical ones in Faust. Nationalism was also a key feature through a range of prominent European composers, and in particular Czech Composer Bedrich Smetana, who composed the famous work “Vlatava – The Moldau”. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdtLuyWuPDs • http://jfkmusichistory.blogspot.com.au/2010/02/vltava-bedrich-smetana-listening-guide.html

3. Key Features • The Gothic Romance: Another quite distinct contribution to the Romantic movement was the Gothic romance. This was popularized by writers like Ann Radcliffe and M. L. Lewis (The Monk) and displayed a Rejection of the Enlightenment ideal of balance and rationalism, with readers eagerly seeking out the hysterical, mystical, passionate adventures of terrified heroes and heroines in the clutches of frightening, mysterious forces. As such, we began to see artists of all fields seeking to distance themselves from the rational and searching for extremities. • A prime example of Gothical Romance’s musical interpretation is Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique – a piece which portrays a young opium addicts dreams where he kills his beloved and is led to his death via beheading. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DWjI1uLSzw

4. Key features • Portrayal of Emotion: Inspired by romanticist authors take on the human emotions of love, happiness, sorrow, joy – and the infinite emotions in between – composers began to delve into the exploration of multi-focal pieces which explored a range of human emotions and expressions. Romanticist's also focused on the portrayal of emotion in nature. Where as classicists focus was centered on order and control (much prized by early romans and Greeks), Romanticists focused on nature unbridled – full of natural wrath and beauty, fire and passion. Polish composer Frederic Chopin was a master of capturing and expressing a range of human emotions in his performances, as well as capturing a range of natural events and emotions expressed through traditional polish folk elements such as the Mazurka – a traditional dance. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RR7eUSFsn28

5. Key Features • Exoticism: Another important aspect of Romanticism is the exotic. Just as Romantics responded to the longing of people for a distant past, so they provided images of distant places. The distances need not be terribly great: Spain was a favorite "exotic" setting for French Romantics, for instance. North Africa and the Middle East provided images of "Asia" to Europeans. Generally anywhere south of the country where one was resided was considered more relaxed, more colorful, more sensual. Edvard Grieg was a strong exponent of Romantic Exoticism, as is demonstrated in his composition Anitra’s Dance, from Peer Gynt in which Grieg depicts an exotic belly dancer. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZK6mzxQUQog

6. Focus questions • Chopin’s Ballade No. 1 in G Minor is an “expression of human emotion, flowing with heights and depths that demonstrate a deep emotional characteristic”. Discuss, using musical terminology and analysis, the emotion created through Chopin’s composition. • How does Grieg portray the ideals behind exoticism and effectively portray images of Arabia and belly dancers in his composition Anitra’s Dance”?