1. ROMANTIC ERA

2. What’s Happening in the World?
American Civil War ( )
Spanish-American War (1898)
Bell invents the telephone (1876)

3. The Romantic Period “Romance” is a French word for “novel”
Romanticism valued imagination and emotion over logic.
Rise in Nationalism- patriotic music, or a love for one’s country.

4. Tuesday

5. The Symphony Orchestra Growing
Continued to use forms from the Classical period but they did develop more.
Beethoven expanded the symphony to 4 movements instead of 3.
The late Romantic Orchestra had up to 100 musicians.
More instruments=more tone colors.
Listen to this example by a Romantic composer Jean Sibelius in his piece, Finlandia

6. changing STATUS OF Musicians
The beginning of music schools (conservatories).
Music was seen less as an occupation and more as a calling.
Women found more opportunities for musical expression.
Romantic composers preferred songlike melodies – this became a dominant feature.
Listen to the melody in Rienzi Overture by Richard Wagner

7. Composers of the Romantic Era
Wednesday
Composers of the Romantic Era

8. Johaness Brahms 1833-1897 German Composer Piano major instrument
Worked as conductor and pianist
Greatly admired Beethoven
Gained fame from his composition of The German Requiem and his orchestral Variations on a Theme by Haydn

9. Richard Wagner 1813-1883 German
Wrote first play at age 14 Composed first piece at age 15
Among his first successful compositions are his operas Rienzi and The Flying Dutchman
Changed the face of opera with the Ring Cycle

10. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky 1840-1893
Russian composer
Considered one of the most famous composers of all-time
He first studied law before becoming a professional composer.
His “1812 Overture” was influenced by the invasion of Russia by Napoleon.
Composed more than 150 pieces of music.
His major works include:
Sleeping Beauty
Swan Lake
The Nutcracker
Violin Concerto in D Major

11. Thursday

12. Instruments
Technological advances improved valves and keys on Brass and Woodwind instruments
First Euphonium made in Bavaria in 1843
Adolphe Sax patents the Saxophone in 1846
A piano in every middle class home – demand for songs and solo piano pieces

13. Program Music
Instrumental music that tells a story or describes a scene or feeling
Today….
Sleigh ride
Movie soundtracks!!

14. Antonin Dvorak
Czech Republic Composer, musician, teacher
Played viola and violin
Traveled to America and studied music of Native Americans and African-Americans which inspired some of his music.
Example: New World Symphony