Music of the
Romantic
Period
Part 1
Romanticism
- Also known as the Romantic Era or Romantic
Period
- Romanticism was characterized by its emphasis
on emotion and individualism as well as
glorification of all the past and nature,
preferring the medieval rather than the classical.
It also promoted the individual imagination as a
critical authority allowed of freedom from
classical notions of form in art.
Historical and Cultural
Background
As the result of changes in social and political
standards of the 18th century, Romantic Era music
formed. The Romantic era swayed away from the
Classical era by allowing artistic freedom and
experimentation.
1. Medieval (Renaissance & Baroque)
2. Classical
3. Romantic
Romantic Music
• 1820 – 1910
• Composers and artist believed in letting
their imagination and passion be seen
through their works. Music was expected
to communicate to the audience, often by
using a narrative form that told distinct
stories.
Main Themes in Romantic
Music
How would you describe
romantic music?
Musical Romanticism was marked
by emphasis on originality and
individuality, personal emotional
expression, and freedom and
experimentation of form.
What is the form of
Romantic Music?
Romance refers to a short, lyrical piece
for piano. It can also be played by
another solo instrument, with piano
accompaniment.
Characteristics of Romantic
Music
Individuality of Development of
01 musical style 03 “Program Music”
Development of
Development of
02 new harmonies
04 “nationalism” in
music
Characteristics of Romantic
Music
Development Greater flexibility
05 of a wider 06 of tempo
range of - Accelerandos
musical - Ritardandos
dynamics. - Rubato
- Pianissimo
- Fortissimo
What are the musical elements
of the Romantic Period?
1. The melody tones become more lyrical.
2. Use piano as accompaniment resulted to
the adding of emotion, mood, and
meaning to the melody through the use
of harmonic, rhythmic, and melodic
material independent of the voice.
Types of Instrumental
Music
Program Absolute Program
Music Music Symphony
What kind of art and media
portrayed Romantic Period?
Painting
Death of
Mercury
Sardanapalus
Literature
Wanderer
Above the Sea
of Fog
Music of the
Romantic
Period
Part 2
What were the performance practices
during the Romantic Period?
Romantic music composers found themselves essentially
compelled to use sharp contrasts. Composers explored the
expression of feelings like flamboyance and intimacy,
unpredictability, longing, and rapture.
Romantic
Composers
Niccolo
01
Paganini
• October 27, 1782 - May 27, 1840
• His musical skills started with playing
the mandolin at the age of 5.
• A popular idol, he inspired the
Romantic mystique of the virtuoso and
revolutionized violin technique.
• Niccolò Paganini was known under the
name of “The Devil's Violinist”
01 His works;
• La Campanella
• 24 Caprices for Solo Violin,
Op. 1
• Concerto no. 1 in Eb, Op. 6
• 15 Quartets for Guitar &
String Trio
Frederic
02
Chopin
• March 1, 1810 - October 17, 1849
• Polish French composer and pianist of
the Romantic period, best known for
his solo pieces for piano and his piano
concerti.
• He began to play piano at age of 4,
and composed polonaise at 7.
• A composer of extraordinary skill and
genius in using the keyboard.
02 His works;
• Polanaise Opus 53 Heroic
• Fantasie in F minor, Op. 49
• Nocturne Opus 9 No. 1
03 Franz Liszt
• October 22, 1811 - July 31, 1886
• Hungarian piano virtuoso and composer
• Franz Liszt received piano lessons from
his father at an early age. Showing
interest in church and folk music, Liszt
began to compose at age eight, giving his
first public concert at age nine.
• His music is controversial
• His piano works require extreme
dynamics
03 His works:
• Hungarian Rhapsodies
• Sonata in B minor
• Liebestraum No. 3 in A Flat
Major
Peter Ilyich
04
Tchaikovsky
• April 25, 1840 - October 25, 1893
• the most popular Russian
composer of all time
• His music has always had great
appeal for the general public in
virtue of its tuneful, open-hearted
melodies and impressive
harmonies.
04 His works;
• Swan Lake (1877)
• The Sleeping Beauty (1889)
• Romeo and Juliet (1870)
Camille
05
Saint-saëns
• October 9, 1835 - December 16,
1921
• He was a gifted pianist and organist
as well as a writer of criticism, poetry,
essays, and plays.
• He wrote music belonging to various
genres like symphony, concerto,
opera, solo piano, chamber music and
secular music.
05 His works;
• Carnival of the Animals
• Danse Macabre
• Symphony no. 3
• The Swan
Types of Romantic
Composer
Full Conservative Regional
Romantics Romantics Romantics
