AOS 1 - Romantic music (Piano music of Chopin and Schumann and the Requiem of the Late Romantic Period) Flashcards
When was the romantic period of music?
c1830 - 1900
Was there a set structure to Romantic music?
No, there was a greater range of freedom in the form of the pieces.
What did romantic music tend to express?
Strong and powerful emotions of the composer, often linking to the emotions they experienced throughout their life
What were romantic composers inspired by?
Their emotions or other artistic creations of the romantic period, such as novels or paintings. This led to an increased interest in programme music
What is Nationalism?
It was where composers expressed strong feelings towards their own country in their music. This was a response to music for the previous decades being dominated and influenced by nearly only German and Austrian composers
How did the size of the orchestra change?
It expanded even larger, with the brass sections especially growing in size due to the invention of the valve system
Overall, how did the playing of the orchestra change?
- Instruments played a wider range of notes
- Greater flexibility of tempo
- Extreme changes in dynamics (pppp and fff)
What were the harmonies like in romantic music?
They were completely different to harmonies in the romantic period: more chromatic and an extensive use of dissonance.
Important composers of the Romantic period?
Chopin, Schumann, Verdi
What are Lieder?
Lieder are short stories based of German poems. They are usually performed by one singer and a pianist.
They are usually through composed - have no repeating parts
Different types of Romantic Piano Music?
Sonatas, Etudes, Nocturnes, Preludes and Polonaises
Define a Requiem
A requiem was originally a Catholic mass for the dead, often written in Latin.
How were requiems performed?
They were performed by a large orchestra and a large choir to add tension to the music. This made them very dramatic.
They weren’t played in church services as as they were too large and extensive.
What key were Requiems usually written in?
A minor key to reflect the solemn mood
