140 likes | 427 Views
The Romantic Period. 1820-1900. Characteristics. Individual style Nationalism and Exoticism Extreme contrasts in pitch, tempo, and dynamics Colorful harmony Instrumentation increased Forms Miniature Only a few minutes Chopin and Schubert Monumental Long works. Music in Society.
E N D
The Romantic Period 1820-1900
Characteristics • Individual style • Nationalism and Exoticism • Extreme contrasts in pitch, tempo, and dynamics • Colorful harmony • Instrumentation increased • Forms • Miniature • Only a few minutes • Chopin and Schubert • Monumental • Long works
Music in Society • Freelance work • Used music to fulfill inner need • Composers wanted to leave their legacy • Wrote for the middle class • Orchestras forming • Music conservatories built in Europe • Public wanted virtuosity • Liszt – piano • Paganini – violin • C. Schumann – piano • Solo recitals • Private music • Musicians had to convince their parents to let them be musicians
Franz Schubert • 1797-1828 • Started music lessons at age 5 • Composing in 1808 • First symphony 1813 • Wrote in many forms • Inspired by Rossini’s operas • 8th symphony unfinished due to death (is known as “The Unfinished Symphony) • Contracted syphilis in 1822 and continued to compose in and out of the hospital • Died in 1828 and buried next to Beethoven • Famous work: The Erlking
Frederic Chopin • 1810-1849 • Wrote almost exclusively for piano • Polish mother and French father • Moved to Paris at age 21 • Shy/reserved • Liked performing in small areas • Taught lessons to daughters of wealthy families • Died from tuberculosis at 39 • Famous work: Nocturne in E Flat Major
Franz Liszt • 1811-1886 • Pianist • Studied, toured, and composed • Multiple love affairs until 1861 • 1861 – Went to Rome for religious studies and became an abbot • Wrote experimental piano pieces • Invented the symphonic poem • Influenced many composers • Famous work: Nuages Gris
Robert Schumann • 1810-1856 • Music based on his life • Studied law • Pianist • Had to quit playing because of medical problems with right hand • Married Clara Wieck against father’s wishes • Happy marriage • Severe bouts of depression • Attempted suicide in 1854 • Spent last two years of life in insane asylum • Famous work: Reconnaissance
Clara Wieck Schumann • 1819-1896 • Pianist primarily, composer (usually for piano and/or violin) • Child prodigy • Close friends with Johannes Brahms in 1853 • 8 children with Robert • After his death, she toured playing the music of her husband and Brahms • Died of a stroke at age 77 • Buried next to Robert • Famous work: Romance in G minor for Violin and Piano
Johannes Brahms • 1833-1897 • Studied music during the day, performed at night • Moved in with Clara when Robert was committed to the asylum • In love with Clara and wrote letters (but were destroyed) • Never married • Editor, collector of music manuscripts, shy, sensitive, sarcastic, rude • Generous to young musicians • Died at age 64 with cancer • Well known for his magnificent choral music • Polyphonic textures • Rhythmically exciting • Used a large range of moods • Famous work: Schicksalslied
PyotrIlyich Tchaikovsky • 1840-1893 • Most famous Russian composer • Started music study at age 21 • Professor, composer • 1877 • Died after writing Symphony No. 6 (Pathetique) at age 53 • Wrote in all forms including songs for ballet (Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker) • Famous Work: Romeo and Juliet
Opera Composers • Guiseppe Verdi • Most popular opera composer • Many operas symbolized Italian indepence • Famous aria from Rigoletto • Giacomo Puccini • Created some of the best-loved operas • Famous aria from La Boheme • Richard Wagner • Opera genius • Self-taught • Works called for “music dramas” instead of “operas” • Famous aria: Die Walkure
Other Instrumental Composers • Felix Mendelssohn • Piano prodigy • Happily married with 4 children • Died from a stroke at age 38 • Famous work: A Midsummer Night’s Dream • Hector Berlioz • Born in France • Sent to school to study medicine, left to be a musician • Fascinated by Shakespeare and everything about it • Music considered “unconventional” • Famous work: Symphonie Fantastique • Antonin Dvorak • Czechoslovakian • Based many works on Bohemian folk song • Traveled with music to America and became interested in Native American melodies and African American spirituals • Famous work: Symphony No. 9 in E minor
Activity • Get in groups of 4 • Create a “Jeopardy” board of facts relating to the various composers. Make sure you have point totals on each with the difficult questions being worth more points.