The Romantic Era (19TH Century)

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The Romantic Era(19TH Century)

• Romantic ? romantic (someone involved in romance)
• Movement in not only music but also art,
  literature, poetry, politics, philosophy, etc.
• Evolution of Classical Era, not innovative
• Carries on Beethovens tradition
• Stresses emotion, imagination and INDIVIDUALITY!

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The Romantic Era

• Emphasis on
• Freedom of expression
• Obsession with self
• Autobiographical works
• Nationalism
• Middle and working class
• Oliver Twist, Huckleberry Finn
• The realm of fantasy and the Gothic
• Frankenstein, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The
  Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Edgar Allen Poe
• Exoticism

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Romanticism in Music

• Expansion (not invention)
• Increased technical demands on performers
• Musical forms and structures
• Ex 90 minute Symphonies vs. 20 minute Symphonies
• Harmony
• More chromaticism and dissonance
• Dynamics
• ppiano, pppianissimo fforte, fffortissimo
• pppp, ppppp ffff, fffff in romantic era

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Romanticism in Music

• Composers with recognizable individual style
• Elements include
• Increased use of folk music
• Nationalism
• Program music
• Exoticism
• Heightened contrast and emotions
• Middle-class audiences (no courts)
• Virtuosi

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The Art Song

• Solo piece for voice and piano
• Lied German text
• Usually set to poetry
• Music matches text
• Song Cycle set of songs

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The Erlking by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"Do you want to come with me, fine lad?My
daughters should be waiting for youMy daughters
lead the nightly dancesAnd will rock and dance
and sing you to sleep." "My father, my father,
can't you see there,The Erlking's daughters in
the gloomy place?""My son, my son, I see it
wellThe old willows seem so gray." "I love
you, your beautiful form entices meAnd if
you're not willing, I shall use force.""My
father, my father, he's grabbing me now!The
Erlking has wounded me!" The father shudders he
rides swiftly,He holds in his arms the moaning
child.Barely he arrives at the yard in
urgencyIn his arms, the child was dead.

• Who rides, so late, through night and wind?It is
  the father with his child.He holds the boy in
  the crook of his armHe holds him safe, he keeps
  him warm.
• "My son, why do you hide your face so
  anxiously?""Father, do you not see the
  Erlking?The Erlking with crown and cloak?""My
  son, it's a wisp of fog."
• "You lovely child, come, go with me!Many a
  beautiful game I'll play with youSome colorful
  flowers are on the shore,My mother has some
  golden robes."
• "My father, my father, can't you hear,What the
  Erlking quietly promised me?""Be calm, stay
  calm, my childThe wind rustles through dry
  leaves."