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The Romantic Period
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Characteristics Individual style Nationalism and Exoticism
Extreme contrasts in pitch, tempo, and dynamics Colorful harmony Instrumentation increased Forms Miniature Only a few minutes Chopin and Schubert Monumental Long works
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Music in Society Freelance work Used music to fulfill inner need
Composers wanted to leave their legacy Wrote for the middle class Orchestras forming Music conservatories built in Europe Public wanted virtuosity Liszt – piano Paganini – violin C. Schumann – piano Solo recitals Private music Musicians had to convince their parents to let them be musicians
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Franz Schubert 1797-1828 Started music lessons at age 5
Composing in 1808 First symphony 1813 Wrote in many forms Inspired by Rossini’s operas 8th symphony unfinished due to death (is known as “The Unfinished Symphony) Contracted syphilis in 1822 and continued to compose in and out of the hospital Died in 1828 and buried next to Beethoven Famous work: The Erlking
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Frederic Chopin 1810-1849 Wrote almost exclusively for piano
Polish mother and French father Moved to Paris at age 21 Shy/reserved Liked performing in small areas Taught lessons to daughters of wealthy families Died from tuberculosis at 39 Famous work: Nocturne in E Flat Major
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Franz Liszt 1811-1886 Pianist Studied, toured, and composed
Multiple love affairs until 1861 1861 – Went to Rome for religious studies and became an abbot Wrote experimental piano pieces Invented the symphonic poem Influenced many composers Famous work: Nuages Gris
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Robert Schumann 1810-1856 Music based on his life Studied law Pianist
Had to quit playing because of medical problems with right hand Married Clara Wieck against father’s wishes Happy marriage Severe bouts of depression Attempted suicide in 1854 Spent last two years of life in insane asylum Famous work: Reconnaissance
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Clara Wieck Schumann Pianist primarily, composer (usually for piano and/or violin) Child prodigy Close friends with Johannes Brahms in 1853 8 children with Robert After his death, she toured playing the music of her husband and Brahms Died of a stroke at age 77 Buried next to Robert Famous work: Romance in G minor for Violin and Piano
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Johannes Brahms Studied music during the day, performed at night Moved in with Clara when Robert was committed to the asylum In love with Clara and wrote letters (but were destroyed) Never married Editor, collector of music manuscripts, shy, sensitive, sarcastic, rude Generous to young musicians Died at age 64 with cancer Well known for his magnificent choral music Polyphonic textures Rhythmically exciting Used a large range of moods Famous work: Schicksalslied
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Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Most famous Russian composer Started music study at age 21 Professor, composer 1877 Died after writing Symphony No. 6 (Pathetique) at age 53 Wrote in all forms including songs for ballet (Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker) Famous Work: Romeo and Juliet
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Opera Composers Guiseppe Verdi Giacomo Puccini Richard Wagner
Most popular opera composer Many operas symbolized Italian indepence Famous aria from Rigoletto Giacomo Puccini Created some of the best-loved operas Famous aria from La Boheme Richard Wagner Opera genius Self-taught Works called for “music dramas” instead of “operas” Famous aria: Die Walkure
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Other Instrumental Composers
Felix Mendelssohn Piano prodigy Happily married with 4 children Died from a stroke at age 38 Famous work: A Midsummer Night’s Dream Hector Berlioz Born in France Sent to school to study medicine, left to be a musician Fascinated by Shakespeare and everything about it Music considered “unconventional” Famous work: Symphonie Fantastique Antonin Dvorak Czechoslovakian Based many works on Bohemian folk song Traveled with music to America and became interested in Native American melodies and African American spirituals Famous work: Symphony No. 9 in E minor
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Activity Get in groups of 4
Create a “Jeopardy” board of facts relating to the various composers. Make sure you have point totals on each with the difficult questions being worth more points.
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