Download The Romantic Period

“If the Enlightenment was a movement which started among a tiny elite and slowly spread
to make its influence felt throughout society, Romanticism was more widespread both in its
origins and influence. No other intellectual/artistic movement has had comparable variety,
reach, and staying power since the end of the Middle Ages”...
THE ROMANTIC PERIOD
1820 - 1910
KEY FEATURES
Nationalism: The concept of national identity, derived from the consequence
of dwelling on creative folk genius. French Romantic painting is full of
themes relating to the tumultuous political events of the period and later
Romantic music often draws its inspiration from national folk music’s. Goethe
deliberately places German folkloric themes and images on a par with
Classical ones in Faust. Nationalism was also a key feature through a range of
prominent European composers, and in particular Czech Composer Bedrich
Smetana, who composed the famous work “Vlatava – The Moldau”.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdtLuyWuPDs
http://jfkmusichistory.blogspot.com.au/2010/02/vltava-bedrich-smetanalistening-guide.html
KEY FEATURES
The Gothic Romance: Another quite distinct contribution to the Romantic
movement was the Gothic romance. This was popularized by writers like Ann
Radcliffe and M. L. Lewis (The Monk) and displayed a Rejection of the Enlightenment
ideal of balance and rationalism, with readers eagerly seeking out the hysterical,
mystical, passionate adventures of terrified heroes and heroines in the clutches of
frightening, mysterious forces. As such, we began to see artists of all fields seeking to
distance themselves from the rational and searching for extremities.
A prime example of Gothical Romance’s musical interpretation is Berlioz’s Symphonie
Fantastique – a piece which portrays a young opium addicts dreams where he kills his
beloved and is led to his death via beheading.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DWjI1uLSzw
KEY FEATURES
Portrayal of Emotion: Inspired by romanticist authors take on the human
emotions of love, happiness, sorrow, joy – and the infinite emotions in
between – composers began to delve into the exploration of multi-focal
pieces which explored a range of human emotions and expressions.
Romanticist's also focused on the portrayal of emotion in nature. Where as
classicists focus was centered on order and control (much prized by early
romans and Greeks), Romanticists focused on nature unbridled – full of
natural wrath and beauty, fire and passion. Polish composer Frederic Chopin
was a master of capturing and expressing a range of human emotions in his
performances, as well as capturing a range of natural events and emotions
expressed through traditional polish folk elements such as the Mazurka – a
traditional dance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RR7eUSFsn28
KEY FEATURES
Exoticism: Another important aspect of Romanticism is the exotic. Just as
Romantics responded to the longing of people for a distant past, so they
provided images of distant places. The distances need not be terribly great:
Spain was a favorite "exotic" setting for French Romantics, for instance.
North Africa and the Middle East provided images of "Asia" to Europeans.
Generally anywhere south of the country where one was resided was
considered more relaxed, more colorful, more sensual. Edvard Grieg was a
strong exponent of Romantic Exoticism, as is demonstrated in his
composition Anitra’s Dance, from Peer Gynt in which Grieg depicts an exotic
belly dancer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZK6mzxQUQog
FOCUS QUESTIONS
1.
Chopin’s Ballade No. 1 in G Minor is an “expression of human emotion, flowing with
heights and depths that demonstrate a deep emotional characteristic”. Discuss, using
musical terminology and analysis, the emotion created through Chopin’s
composition.
2.
How does Grieg portray the ideals behind exoticism and effectively portray images
of Arabia and belly dancers in his composition Anitra’s Dance”?