Music 9 (Third Quarter)

Module 1: Week 1

Music of The
Romantic Period
INTROUDUCTION

Romantic music refers to Western music composed in the late 18th century to the 19th century.
Composers and artists believed in letting their imagination and passion be seen through their works.
Nationalism is reflected in most of the music of the Romantic era. In the previous historical
periods, composers borrowed musical styles from Germany, Italy, and France. However, composers of
the Romantic period began incorporating their country’s native folk songs and musical styles into their
compositions.
DEVELOPMENT
Music of the Romantic Period 1820-1910

Romantic period is described by some musicians, composers and researchers around the world as a
cultural movement that stressed emotion, imagination, individualism and freedom of expression.

Nationalism is one of the main features of this era. This is evidently shown in some compositions made by
Romantic composers. One of which is the Polanaise of Frederic Chopin, a dance composition for piano which is
famous in Poland until today.

 Ludwig Van Beethoven - bridge the music from Classical to Romantic era.

Facts about Romantic period that everybody should know

 Piano music is in free form such as fantasy, rhapsody, ballad and nocturne.
 Program music was expressed in tone poems and symphony fantastique.
 The music was used to tell stories and express ideas.
 Composers were proud of their country’s music and often use folk songs in their works
 Themes used in their composition were mainly about nature, history, and feelings.

VIOLIN AND STRINGS MUSIC

Niccolo Paganini

He was born in October 27, 1782 in Genoa, Italy in a family of six children. Paganini
became the most famous violin virtuoso in the whole world. However, there is a rumor that his
amazing violin skills were a gift from the devil and that he sold his soul in exchange for those skills. He also
rumored to have a problem with woman and gambling.

Some works of Niccolo Paganini:

 La Campanella, 24 Caprices for Solo Violin, Op. 1, Concerto No. 1 in Eb, Op. 6, 15 Quarter for guitar and
strings Trio and The carnival of venice

PIANO MUSIC

 Piano music of the romantic period was full of innovations.

 Most of the compositions require a high level of virtuosity. Some were reinvention of sonatas From the
Classical Era.
 Today some piano composition from the Romantic period have been adapted into songs. An example of
this is Chopin’s Etude Op. 10, No. 3 in E major that was used for the song “ No other love”

Composers for Piano Music

1. Frederic Chopin
 Frederic Chopin was known as the “Poet of the Piano” He was born
on March 1, 1810 in Zelazowa, Poland.
 Chopin composed almost primarily for the piano and some of his
well-known compositions were Fantasie in F minor, Op. 49,
Revolutionary Etude Op. 10, No. 12 ad 24 Preludes Op. 28
 In the later part of Chopin’s life, his health begun to decline and he
was diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis. Chopin died on October
17, 1849 in Paris.
 Some of his music is characterized by its beautiful tone, rhythmic
flexibility, grace and elegance. Some of his compositions like
mazurka and Polonaise express his love for Poland.

Chopin is famous for the following:

 Ballade – a verse form or narrative that is set to music

 Etude – a piece composed for the development of specific technique.
 Mazurka – a polish dance in triple time signature
 Nocturne – an instrumental composition of a pensive, dreamy mood, for the piano
 Polonaise – a slow polish dance in triple time that consists of march or procession
 Prelude – A short piece of music that can be used as a preface, and introduction to another work or may stand
on its own.
 Waltz- German dance in triple time meter
 Impromptu – a short free-form musical composition usually for solo instrument, like the piano.
 Scherzo – a musical movement of playful character, typically in ABA form
 Sonata – composition for one or solo instrument usually consisting of three or four independent movements
varying in key, mood and tempo.

2. Franz Liszt

 He was known as the virtuoso pianist, a composer and the

busiest musician during the romantic era. He was born in the
village Doborjan, Hungary.
 A turning point came when in his early twenties, Liszt heard the
virtuoso violinist Niccolo Paganini perform so he decided to
dedicate himself in becoming virtuoso pianist.
  He was known for his symphonic poems where he translated great literacy into musical
compositions.
 He was also known for his generosity in sharing time and money to the orphans and victim of
disasters. He also taught music for free.

Some of Liszt Piano works:

 La Camanella
 , Leibestraum No. 3
 Hungarian Rhapsody no. 2 – the most popular and the basis for Tom and Jerry cartoon called Cat
Concerto
 Un Sospiro
 Sonata in B Minor , Arrangements of the 9 Beethoven Symphonies
 Transcription of Lieder by Schubert

Orchestral Composition

 Symphonic Poems (Hamlet, Les Preludes)

3. Robert Schumann

 Robert Schumann is one of the famous composers of Romantic period that

beautifully combine music and words. He was born in 1810 in Zwickau. His
father wanted him to study law, however his spent most of his time with
musical literacy circles thru the effort of Friedrich Wieck who took some
time to teach Schumann how to play the piano in 1821. It was also this time
when he wrote some of his first piano compositions. He eventually convinced
his family that he should put aside law in favor of a performing career. In
1830, Schumann went to live with Wieck in Leipzig. He soon develops a
problem with his hands, effectively ending his dreams as a pianist.
 It was in 1834 when Schumann founded the music journal, Jornal Neue Zeitschrift
fur Musik.
 In His journal, Schumann often wrote under two psedonyms- Eusebius ( his
sensitive, lyrical side and Florestan ( his fiery, stormy side.)

Piano Works

"Abegg Variations," Opus 1(1830)

"Davidsbundlertanze" ("Dances of the Band of David"), Opus 6 (1837)
"Carnaval," Opus 9 (1835) - a portrait of a masked ball attended by his allies and his beloved Clara
“Phantasiestucke," Opus 12 (1837) - a series of mood pieces
Kreisleriana," Opus 16 (1838) - a fantasy on the mad Kapellmeister
"Kinderszenen," Opus 15 (1838) - a poetic series of evocations of a child's world

He wrote over 100 Art Songs. Some of which are:

 "Frauenliebe und Leben" ("A Woman's Love and Life")

 "Dichterliebe" ("A Poet's Love")

Orchestral music:

 "Piano Concerto in A Minor," Opus 54

 "Overture, Scherzo
 “Finale," Opus 52 (a mini symphony)
  "Konzertstuck in F Major for Four Horns and Orchestra”, Opus 86

PROGRAM MUSIC

 Program music is an instrumental composition that conveys images or scenes to tell a short story
without text or lyrics.

COMPOSERS OF PROGRAM MUSIC:

1. HECTOR BERLIOZ

 Hector Berlioz is a French romantic composer born on December 11, 1803.

 One of his famous musical compositions is a five movement symphony called
“Symphonie Fantastique”. In this composition which is also known as “Fantastic
Symphony”, Berlioz showcased the important features in his composition in creating
tone color. He assembled hundreds of musicians to produce a powerful sound. In
most of his compositions, he made tone color as the basic part of his musical
language.

STORY OF SYMPHONIE FANTASTIQUE:

A young, extremely sensitive and imaginative musician tries to kill himself with opium due to depression
caused by discouraged love. Unfortunately, the dose was not enough and does not kill him but instead, plunges him
into a heavy sleep flocked with nightmares. His experiences, feelings and memories are translated into
hallucinations of musical thoughts and images. The girl he loves was transformed into a melody and like a recurring
theme, he meets and hears everywhere. Each movement of the symphony refers to a different vision in the young
musician’s mind.

2. PETER ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY (Pyotr Ilyich Chaykowsky)

 born on May 7, 1840 in Votkinsk, Russia, was known for his ballet music.
 As a big fan of Mozart, Tchaikovsky studied composition with Anton
Rubinstein and moved to Moscow and started teaching at the new
conservatory.
 Hebecame famous after composing the musical poem “Fatum” and
“Romeo and Juliet”. He composed haunting melodies and used a great deal
of folk music in his symphonic works. Unfortunately, there are very few
surviving manuscripts written by Tchaikovsky. His fame peaked in the last
ten years of his life and later died due to cholera.

Tchaikovsky’s Famous Compositions:

 Swan Lake , Sleeping beauty, Romeo and Juliet, 1812 Overture, The
Nutcracker, Symphoy no. 2, Symphony no. 6 “Pathetique”, Piano Concerto No. 1

3. CAMILLE SAINT-SAËNS

 He was born in Paris on October 9, 1835 and started his music through the help of his aunt
by teaching him piano lesson when he was only two years old and afterward he began
composing piano piece at age three.
 He was considered as a composer who creates elegant music, neat, clean, polished and
never excessive. One of this is example is “The Swan”. As an organist and one of the best
pianists of his time, he sat very still at the piano and played gracefully and cool.
 Some of the facts during the peak of his career in musician and composer, many beautiful building,
churches and instruments were being built in France which includes the famous Eiffel Tower.

Best known music of Camille Saint-Saëns:

 Carnival of the Animals

 “Danse Macabre”
 Symphony No. 3
 The Swan
 Over 300 works, unusually in all genres, including
 3 operas (Samson and Delilah the only one remembered)
 5 Symphonies (best known No3 the Organ Symphony)
 3 concertos for violin and orchestra o 5 concertos for piano and orchestra
 2 concertos for cello and orchestra
 organ music
 numerous pieces for the piano
 approximately 100 songs
 chamber music
 sacred music including a Requiem

Learning Task no. 1 Complete the table with correct information ( Do this in a piece of paper)

Composer Description/ Known for Famous composition

1. Niccolo Paganini

2. Franz Liszt

3. Robert Schumann

4. Hector Berloiz

5. Peter Ilych Tchaikovsky

6. Camille Saint-Saens

ENGAGEMENT

Study and sing the song Tulog na ang bunso ko by Maria Melusa G. Mercado

ASSIMILATION

Activity Sheet No. 1 in Music