1. Review of Musical Elements RhythmIntervals HarmonyModality InstrumentationForm Pitch Chromatic TextureClimax DurationDynamics DissonantTempo Tone colorTimbre MelodySequence

2. Chapter 18: The Late Romantics Late Romantic Program Music

3. Key Terms Realism Symphonic poem Theme transformation

4. Late Romantic Timeline

5. The Late Romantics 1848 a year of failed revolutions In France, Italy, & various German states Hopes for political freedom seemed to die Many Romantic aspirations died as well Romanticism lived on, but as nostalgia 1848 a convenient point of demarcation Early Romantics were dying – Mendelssohn, Chopin, & Schumann died 1847-1856 Revolution & exile transformed Wagner’s career

6. Late Romantic Program Music Liszt wrote a series of symphonic poems in the 1850s A new genre – a one-movement orchestral work with a program in a free musical form Word “poem” emphasized literary connection Could be based on a poem, play, or other work Liszt’s works include Les préludes & Hamlet Gave new impetus to late Romantic music Genre was used by Smetana, Chaikovsky, Musorgsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, Strauss, Sibelius, and others

7. Pyotr Ilyich Chaikovsky (1840-1893) Music not a “respectable” Russian career Chaikovsky was fortunate to study at the brand-new St. Petersburg Conservatory Professor at Moscow Conservatory at 26 Long subsidized by wealthy recluse Nadezhda von Meck – though they never met! A prolific composer 6 symphonies, 11 operas, symphonic poems, chamber music, songs, concertos, ballets One of the best-loved melodists in music history

8. Chaikovsky, Romeo and Juliet One of several of his symphonic poems Lengthy pieces in one movement He uses free forms that adopt features of sonata form, rondo, & so on Romeo and Juliet followed outlines of the original play in a general way Easy to link themes to aspects of the play Surging, Romantic melody for the two lovers Angry, agitated theme for families’ enmity Hymnlike theme for kindly Friar Laurence

9. Romeo and Juliet Slow Introduction Introduction already heavy with drama Somber, solemn Hymn theme statements In low clarinets & bassoons Anguished strings answer Forecasting an unhappy outcome High woodwind announcement Punctuated by strumming harp The above repeats & builds to a climax Over dramatic drum roll

10. Romeo and Juliet Allegro (1) Begins with fast Vendetta (Fate) theme Short, vigorous rhythmic motives Climax punctuated by cymbal claps

11. Romeo and Juliet Allegro (2) Shifts to highly romantic Love theme First heard in English horn & violas Interrupted by a gentle sighing figure Returns to Love theme in woodwinds

12. Romeo and Juliet Allegro (3) Lively development section follows Reminiscent of sonata form development Battle between Vendetta & Hymn themes

13. Romeo and Juliet Free Recapitulation (1) Vendetta theme returns in original form Reminiscent of sonata form recapitulation Sighing motive & Love theme also return Big, ecstatic statement of Love theme

14. Romeo and Juliet Free Recapitulation (2) Ending broken up & interrupted – a reference to the drama’s tragic outcome Vendetta & Hymn themes combine once more They build to a huge climax & die down unwillingly

15. Romeo and Juliet Coda Introduces transformations of Love theme Begins with broken version of Love theme Over funeral drum taps in timpani Woodwinds sound an optimistic note Transformation of sighing motive Harp strumming introduces Love theme Beautiful new cadential version surges upward ecstatically Suggestion that their love transcends death?