Classical ( ) & Romantic ( ) Musical Comparisons

Classicalvs. Romantic –MELODY Simple melodies, often in four- or eight-measure phrases Simple melodies, often in four- or eight-measure phrases Mainly stepwise motion Mainly stepwise motion –RHYTHM Consistent rhythms Regular tempos Consistent rhythms Regular tempos –MELODY More complex melodies, phrasing not as regular More complex melodies, phrasing not as regular Dramatic leaps common Dramatic leaps common –RHYTHM Varied and unpredictable rhythm Varied and unpredictable rhythm More extremes of tempo More extremes of tempo

Classicalvs. Romantic –HARMONY Triadic, little chromaticism Triadic, little chromaticism Major/minor tonality Major/minor tonality –SOUND Homogenous orchestral color Use of crescendo and diminuendo Homogenous orchestral color Use of crescendo and diminuendo –HARMONY Richer, more varied harmonies, more chromaticism Richer, more varied harmonies, more chromaticism Distinction between major and minor blurs Distinction between major and minor blurs –SOUND Wider variety of colors Wider variety of colors Wider range of dynamics Wider range of dynamics New instruments introduced New instruments introduced Traditional instruments given wider dynamic range Traditional instruments given wider dynamic range

Classicalvs. Romantic –TEXTURE Homophonic texture prevails Homophonic texture prevails –FORM Binary and ternary forms, sonata allegro Binary and ternary forms, sonata allegro –TEXTURE More use of counterpoint More use of counterpoint –FORM Same forms, expanded and modified, often reflected programmatic ideas Same forms, expanded and modified, often reflected programmatic ideas

Ludwig Van Beethoven ( ) Was the composer that bridged the Classical and Romantic Time Periods Was the composer that bridged the Classical and Romantic Time Periods Born in Bonn, Germany Born in Bonn, Germany From age 11, he supported his younger siblings by performing as an organist or harpsichordist. From age 11, he supported his younger siblings by performing as an organist or harpsichordist. His career was aided by the growth of concert life & music publishing His career was aided by the growth of concert life & music publishing

Ludwig Van Beethoven In his early 30’s he began to lose his hearing. In his early 30’s he began to lose his hearing. Recent research has shown that his hearing loss & death was probably the result of lead poisoning. Recent research has shown that his hearing loss & death was probably the result of lead poisoning. Early Beethoven has influences of Haydn & Mozart Early Beethoven has influences of Haydn & Mozart Later, his writing becomes more dramatic, like Romantic period writing Later, his writing becomes more dramatic, like Romantic period writing Was probably due to his depression & moodiness because of hearing loss Was probably due to his depression & moodiness because of hearing loss

Ludwig Van Beethoven Famous compositions: Symphony #5 Symphony #5 Moonlight Sonata Op 27 #2 Moonlight Sonata Op 27 #2 Fur Elise Fur Elise Ode to Joy from Symphony #9 Ode to Joy from Symphony #9 Sonata Pathetique Op. 13 #8 Sonata Pathetique Op. 13 #8 String Quartet #14 Op.131 String Quartet #14 Op.131