1. Chapter 15 Prelude: Music after Beethoven: Romanticism
Form in Romantic Music

2. Key Terms Miniatures “Grandiose”compositions Thematic unity
Thematic transformation

3. Form in Romantic Music Individual spontaneity was a central goal
Music should bubble out like churning emotion, irrepressible & untrammeled
How do you control spontaneity?
Music must have enough coherence that listeners can follow along
Many standard form-types were used
But used loosely – with few clear cadences, themes often blend into one another

4. “Miniature” Compositions
Pieces that last only a few minutes
Mostly songs & short piano pieces
They convey a particular, momentary emotion
A short, meaningful glance, not a lengthy dissertation
A variety of titles were used—
General titles – Impromptu or Capriccio
Dance titles – Mazurka or Polonaise
Programmatic titles – To a Wild Rose, Years of Pilgrimage, Spring Song, or The Poet Speaks

5. “Grandiose” Compositions
Diametrically opposed to miniatures
Larger & larger symphonies, cantatas, etc.
More movements, increased performing forces, longer time span, and so on
Often blended music with poetry, philosophical or religious ideas, & dramatic action
Berlioz’s 90-minute Romeo & Juliet symphony
Wagner’s 19-hour, 4-opera Ring cycle

6. “Miniature” vs. “Grandiose”
Problem of spontaneity vs. form?
Miniature works bypass the problem
Work ends before the listener begins to wonder where the music is going
Grandiose works draw on extramusical factors
The text or a program can provide a coherent story & ideas
Music adds emotional conviction

7. The Principle of Thematic Unity (1)
Increasing tendency to use themes throughout entire works
Literal, obvious return possible
Scherzo return in Beethoven’s 5th Symphony
New versions of a theme might be used
Thematic transformation – a type of variation
Permits greater spontaneity
Looser relationships also possible
Mysterious, vague, yet organic similarities

8. The Principle of Thematic Unity (2)
Vague similarities are most typical
Vagueness is preferred over clarity
Suggestion over outright statement
Atmosphere over discourse
Feeling over form
These go to the heart of Romanticism
The spontaneous “inner form” of an individual piece is tied to principle of thematic unity
Romantic music requires listeners who are imaginative, exploratory, & a bit fanciful