The Romantic Era

Overview

• The Romantic Era follows the Classical Era.• Beethoven was the “bridge” between the Classical and

Romantic Eras. He used classical composition techniques, but began experimenting with Romantic ideas.

• This era was focused on EXPRESSING EMOTION.• Composers: Listz, Schumann, Mendelssohn, Rossini

Art from the Romatic EraThe Burning of the Houses of Lords and Commons

-Joseph Mallard William Turner

What else was going on in the world?

• American Civil War• Invention of Sound Recording (Thomas Edison)• French Revolution• A general “culture” of rebellion

Let’s Listen!

• Mendelssohn Hungarian Rhapsody: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0odaG9qi818

• Berlioz “Symphonie Fantastique”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DWjI1uLSzw

• Discussion: What did you hear? After the recordings discuss with your stand partner what you heard in the music. Stick to MUSICAL FACTS.

Let’s Compare Romantic with Baroque/Classical

Baroque and/or Classical• Limited use of dynamic

contrast• Smaller ensembles,

chamber groups• Strict forms (concerto,

sonata allegro). Music fit inside “the box”.

Romantic• Huge dynamic changes, many

are sudden.• Large orchestras that included

brass and percussion sections.• Looser forms: composers got

out of the box. Music told a story, or painted a picture.

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT• Research Romantic music and discover one of the following:

• Composer• Characteristic of the music• Similarity between music and other areas such as art or architecture (this

must still be focused on music from the era)• Type of composition written in the time

• Write down your research, cite the source of your research, and turn in next class!