Transcript The Romantic Era

The Romantic Era
of the
Nineteenth Century
about 1800-1900
(as used in the 17th century)
Romance - a medieval tale or poem about a heroic
person or event
Such as King Arthur:
(as used in the 17th century)
Romantic - something far off or legendary
Such as Camelot:
Romantic Era - a term used to describe the art, music,
and architecture of the late 19th Century. Characteristics of
music from this time included:
expressiveness
nationalism - including use of folk songs
programatic pieces - music used to tell a story or paint a picture
greater contrasts - in texture, dynamics, rhythm, tempo, modality
increased use of dissonance
increased use of chromaticism
To better understand the Romantic Era, it helps to compare it
with the Classical Era which preceded it. The following slides
show some Classical art and architecture, followed by the
corresponding Romantic art and architecture. The Romantic
Era musicians did not completely eschew the Classical form,
but rather brought to it elements of emotional expression and
individualism.
Classical Gardens (the 1700's)- displayed
symmetry, order, organization,
geometric designs
The Romantic Era brought in an
appreciation of the natural
world. English gardens of the time
were designed to be imitative of
nature.
Classical Architecture - embraced the
symmetry and grace of the Ancient Greek buildings
American home Georgian style
White House Washington DC
Palace of Versailles Paris
Romantic Architecture - found inspiration
in the Gothic cathedrals (2 Gothic cathedrals pictured below)
Notre Dame - France
Milan - Italy
Architecture during the Romantic Eraelements of the Gothic cathedrals of the middle ages are
echoed in some of the architecture of the late 1800's.
Trinity ChurchNew York
Trinity ChurchBoston
•Classical Art- art of Ancient Greece was the
inspiration
symmetry
order
for
simplicity
elegance
The woman in
this Classical
painting is even
dressed as a
Greek statue.
"Madame Recamire" - by Jacques-Louis David
Art of the Romantic Periodcloseness to nature
affection for cultural uniqueness / traditions (the common folk)
expressive - bold, dramatic, heroic, contrasting
emotional - melancholy, amorous, exuberant
National Romantic Painting by Hans Gude
Romantic Art (freedom, passion)
Liberty Leading the People - by Delacroix
Romantic Art (intentional obscurity)
Steamer in a Snow Storm - by Mall
Classical Music -
Romantic Music
Characteristics
Characteristics
more homophonic (melody accompanied
by a chordal structure)
melodies - diatonic with clear cadences
phrases - regular & symmetrical
form or structure was important
sonata
rondo
fugue
minuet & trio
texture was open & light
Leading Classical Composers
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Mozart
Haydn
Clementi
Boccherini
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xpressive / emotional / dramatic
imitative or inspired by nature
imitative or inspired by folk music
nationalistic
programme music (music that paints a
picture or tells a story
larger orchestras / piano as a solo
instrument
form - more free, less rigid
texture - thicker & more complex
technical virtuosity
Leading Romantic Composers
• next slide
•Romantic Music
Transitional Composers
(between Classical and Romantic Eras)
Beethoven - considered by many the 1st Romantic composer
Weber
Rossini
Schubert
Romantic Composers & their nationalities
Strauss - Austrian
Berlioz - French
Bizet - French
Schumann - German
Mendelssohn - German
Wagner - German
Rimsky-Korsakov - Russian
Mussorgsky - Russian
Dvorak - Czeck
Grieg - Norwegian
Soussa - American (U.S.)