The Romantic Era

1. The Romantic Era 1815- 1910

2. World Events: the 1800’s • Lewis and Clark expedition (1804) • Napoleon is exiled (1814) • Napoleon returns (1815), but is defeated at waterloo • First railroad (England) • California Gold rush (1849) • Civil war (1861) • Battle of Gettysburg (1863) • Sir Arthur Conan Doyle writes first Sherlock Holmes Novel (1887) • X-rays discovered (Germany) • Plessyv. Ferguson- “separate but equal (1896)

3. Musical Characteristics: • Increased Chromaticism (use of half steps) • Nationalism (expression of one’s country through musical traits) • Artistic freedom, experimentation and creativity

4. Characteristics of the Romanic Era • Literature and Art were primarily inspired by nature and the supernatural (Think, pair, share... What are three things that are supernatural?) • Emotion ruled the arts!

5. Nationalism • Central theme in art and political philosophy • Development of national languages and folklore • Importance of local customs and traditions

7. Think, pair, share • With your neighbor come up with three examples of nationalism you’ve noticed in the U.S.A. • Examples can be musical, artistic, political, something you saw on the street, ANYTHING!

8. Write • Using some of the examples you heard in class, write a short response (4-5 sentences) about why you think nationalism is (or is not) important to society.

9. The symphonic poem • A symphonic poem is a piece written for orchestra in which the image of a non-musical source is “pictured”

10. Richard Strauss (1864-1949)

11. Strauss • German • Son of a talented french horn player • Received his education from attending his father’s orchestra rehearsals and from orchestra members • Originally studied Art and Philosophy, not music

12. Strauss • Originally wrote in a style similar to the classical composers • 3 words? • A friend convinced him to let go of the constraints • "New ideas must seek new forms"

13. Symphonic Poems • Depicting a story or subject with music • Strauss took this to new heights • Brought realism into his compositions

14. Don Quixote • A Spanish novel written by Miguel de Cervantes • A middle aged man who, inspired by stories decides to help the helpless and destroy the wicked • Employs Sancho to help him as his squire • Hilarity ensues

15. Don Quixote the Symphonic poem • 45 mins long • Written in theme and variations form • Cello= Don Quixote • Viola= Sancho • In the second variation, Don Quixote sees a flock of sheep and perceives them to be an oncoming army

16. Listen • What sounds does Strauss use to depict the characters and action? How do you know what’s going on?

17. Write • You are now the composer of a symphonic poem! • Write me a SHORT story. • Tell me what instruments your characters would be and why (use the instrument wall if you have to!) • Tell me how you would “orchestrate” one part of the action

18. Franz Schubert (1797-1828)

19. Franz Schubert • Country: Austria • Only lived 32 years... • Started his musical education at age 6 • Used to practice piano in a warehouse • Antonio Salieri took notice... • Sent him to a more advanced school in 1804 • Returned home in 1813 to become a teacher at his father’s school • This didn’t last • Summer 1818- spent with the Esterhazy’s • Their music teacher

20. Franz Schubert • Had a HUGE social following • People would throw lavish parties to perform his music (Schubertiads) • He would often play at these as well • Fell ill in the 1820’s • Was buried next to Beethoven, whom he had admired his whole life.

21. Art Song • Schubert wrote over 600 art songs! • Art song: composition for voice and piano, usually sets an independent poem or text • Combines poetry and music • The poetry in art songs usually had to do with: • Love • Nature • Supernatural • When writing an art song composers would create an equal partnership between the Singer and the Piano • Art songs were written to be enjoyed at home • Schubert was the earliest master of the art song

22. Think Pair Share • Can you think of an example of an American art song where the poetry was written before it was set to music?

23. The Elrking • Listen first • Think pair share: what do you and your neighbor think this might be about?

24. Reading • I Need a: • Son • Father • Elf King • Narrator

25. Narrator: • Who rides, so late, through night and wind?It is the father with his child.He has the boy well in his armHe holds him safely, he keeps him warm.

26. Father • "My son, why do you hide your face so anxiously?"

27. Son • "Father, do you not see the Elfking?The Elfking with crown and tail?"

28. Father • "My son, it's a wisp of fog."

29. Elf King • "You dear child, come, go with me!Very lovely games I'll play with you;Some colorful flowers are on the beach,My mother has some golden robes."

30. Son • My father, my father, and don't you hearWhat the Elfking quietly promises me?"

31. Father • "Be calm, stay calm, my child;The wind is rustling through withered leaves."

32. Elf King • "Do you want to come with me, pretty boy?My daughters shall wait on you finely;My daughters will lead the nightly dance,And rock and dance and sing you to sleep."

33. Son • "My father, my father, and don't you see thereThe Elfking's daughters in the gloomy place?"

34. Father • "My son, my son, I see it clearly:There shimmer the old willows so grey."

35. Elf King • "I love you so, how charming you are and so fair;And if you're not willing, my power beware!"

36. Son • "My father, my father, he's grabbing me now!The Elfking has done me harm!"

37. Narrator • It horrifies the father; he swiftly rides on,He holds the moaning child in his arms,Reaches the farm with trouble and hardship;In his arms, the child was dead.

38. The Erlking • Now think, pair share... What is this poem about? • Who are the characters? Their goals?

39. The Erlking • Tonality: major vs. minor • Listen again- with your partner try to determine which sections are major and minor

40. The Erlking • Who is the only character that sings mostly in Major? Why? • Schubert uses which compositional technique every time the boy sings “My father, My father? • What emotion do we know the son is feeling because of this technique? • The piano accompaniment is written to sound like what? • How do we know the son and his father have reached their destination at the end?

41. Write • How does Schubert use the following to tell the story: • Major, minor (2 pts) • Rhythm (2 pts) • Sequence (2 pts) • Dynamics (2 pts) • Spelling and Grammar count! (2pts)

42. Frederic Chopin (1810- 1849)

43. Chopin • Polish • Moved to Paris because of an uprising in Poland in 1830 • All of his compositions have piano • Made most of his living as a piano teacher • Virtuoso: an individual with outstanding technical skills in music • Wrote many pieces in the style of Polish folksongs • Blend of classical music and Polish folk music

44. Richard Wagner (1813-1883)

45. Wagner (1813-1883) • German • His stepfather was an actor and playwright • Probably fostered Wagner’s love for Drama • Did a lot of his composition and playing by ear • Went to Leipzig university where his teacher recognized his talent and refused any payment for lessons

46. Wagner • Composer • Theatre Director • Primarily known for his operas (he called them Music Dramas) • Always wrote his own lyrics for his operas • “total work of Art” • Synthesize poetic, visual, musical and dramatic arts with music second to the drama

47. Exile • Played a minor supporting role in a political uprising in Germany • Warrants were issued for his arrest and he had to flee • Spent 12 years in exile • During this period he wrote his most famous operas • Was able to come back after 12 years

48. Wagner • Built his own opera house for the performance of his works • Bayreuth Festspielhaus • Many of his great works were premiered here • Still performed there at an annual festival today

49. Leitmotif • Musical phrases associated with characters, places, ideas or plot elements. • Unite elements of music and drama

50. Notes: • Erlking • Use don quixote symphonic poem • Something wagner with leitmotif • STAR WARS • Slavonic dances (dvorak) • Something chopin