Romantic Era Steam-powered elevator invented, 1850 Typewriter and air brakes invented, 1868 Alexander Graham Bell invents telephone, 1876 Edison invents first commercially practical incandescent bulb, cash register invented, 1879 First successful automobile built in the United States, 1894 Wright brothers make first successful airplane flight, Vacuum cleaner invented in First commercial radio broadcast, 1920.

Romantic Era Musical styles had emotional intensity and classical form. Dynamic range is wider, and there is a larger range of sound. There is a greater variety of instruments, including improved or newly-invented wind instruments. Melodies are longer, more dramatic and emotional. Tempos are more extreme. New genre – The Symphonic Poem

The Symphonic Poem A symphonic poem or tone poem is a piece of orchestral music, usually in a single continuous movement, which illustrates or evokes the content of a poem, short story, novel, painting, landscape, or other (non-musical) source. The symphonic poem is intended to inspire listeners to imagine or consider scenes, images, specific ideas or moods, and not (necessarily) to focus on following traditional patterns of musical form such as sonata form.sonata form.

Composers in Romantic Era Bedrich Smetana Father of Czech music Went deaf 10 years before he died. He married twice and had 6 daughters. Was a choir master, teacher and composer. Famous for the tone poem/symphonic poem - The Moldau

Tone Poem Die Moldau (or The Moldau), was composed in 1874 by Bedrich Smetana.. The composition describes the course of the Vitava, starting from the two small springs, the Cold and Warm Vitava, to the unification of both streams into a single current, the course of the Vitava through, woods and meadows, through landscapes where a farmer’s wedding is celebrated, the round dance of the mermaids in the night’s moonshine; on the nearby rocks loom proud castles, palaces and ruins aloft. The Vitava swirls into the St. Johns’ Rapids; then it widens and flows toward Prague, past the Vysehrad, then majestically vanishes into the distance, ending at the Labe (or Elbe river).

Composers in Romantic Era Franz Schubert Born in Vienna in 1797 died in Vienna in 1828 at age 31. His family was poor; his mother was a cook and his father was schoolmaster. At age 10 he was demonstrating gifts of a musical prodigy. Though he was very modest compared to most. He was popular, though he was not handsome or sophisticated and did not feel comfortable around the rich society. By the time he was 23 he had composed 500 works. He lived in poverty, he depended on the generosity of his friends. It was his wish to be buried next to his hero, Beethoven. Wrote a quintet called “The Trout”

Composers in Romantic Era Hector Berlioz Born in France in 1803 died in Paris in 1869 at age 66. Everything he composed was extravagant; he conducted an orchestra of 1,200 people! His father was a doctor who hated music as a career for his son. At age 18 he entered the school of Medicine, which he hated so he dropped out. He became obsessed with an Irish actress, Harriet Smithson, though she never liked him. Harriet became his inspiration for his composition, “Symphonie Fantastique.” Later they meet again and married though it was a disaster. Harriet turned out to be an alcoholic. They soon separated. He felt that he was not a good composer and died from depression. Symphony Fantastique

Composers in Romantic Era Felix Mendelssohn Born in Hamburg, Germany in 1809 died in Leipzig, Germany at age 38. He grew up in a wealthy Jewish family. He had to work hard-got up at 5 am to study. His sister Fanny was also a very talented composer and performer though was not as recognized. Because Jews were very poorly treated in Germany he converted to Christianity and added “Barthodly” to his last name. He was called the “Mozart of the 19 th century because he could compose so young. He married Cecile, the daughter of a French clergyman, and they had 5 children and a happy marriage. He died 6 months after his sister Fanny. Composed a “Midsummer Nights Dream.” the famous wedding march.

Composers in Romantic Era Georges Bizet Born in Paris in 1838 died in Bougival at age 37. He was a child prodigy he entered the Paris conservatory (college) at 9. He played the piano very well and even impressed the famous composer and pianist Franz. He always had poor health and lived a quiet life in a village near Paris He married Genevieve, who was the daughter of his teacher. His most famous work is the opera “Carmen.” He though “Carmen” was a flop and would never succeed. Though today it is one of the most famous operas. He died of a heart-attack 3 months after “Carmen” was performed.