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Napoleon and Music (Start of the Napoleonic Wars)
A figure who commissioned and had many pieces written about him long after death, Napoleon thought it necessary to chronicle his history and military decisions through extravagant pieces. He had music written with aggressively inflammatory phrases like "Rather death than slavery- that's a French invention!" "Chant Du Depart", a piece from the French Revolution, was used by Napoleon to instill a sense of nationalism. It argues that invaders and Tyrants were coming to take France for themselves. -
Dawn of the Romantic Era
Borrowing many of the reductive yet refined attributes of the classical era, the romantic era saw further development of soloist pieces, the evolution of the concerto, and many bloody conflicts. While many areas saw peace and relative safety to culture musical advancement, others suffered the threat of their neighbors, and sought to either liberate the disenfranchised or conquer those among them. -
Birth of Frederic Chopin (1810-1849)
One of few quintessential Romance Era composers, Chopin is still revered today for his piano compositions. Born in Poland, his style is remarked as having largely been influenced by folk songs from the area. While Chopin wrote for a multitude of styles, all of which featuring piano, many of his pieces were for solo piano. A natural-born pianist, Chopin is mostly remembered today for his solo piano sonatas, scherzos, and etudes. Though prolific, Chopin died very young in 1849 (39 years old). -
Birth of Robert Schumann (1810-1856)
Schumann sought to become a prolific pianist in his youth. He wanted this so intensely that he unintentionally hurt his right hand while attempting to stretch his reach, permanently injuring it. This however lead him to becoming one of the greatest composers of the romantic era. He made many works for symphony and soloists. His wife would go on to perform his works after his death, allowing songs he created that garnered little attention during his life to be appreciated after his passing. -
Birth of Hans Liszt (1811-1886)
Liszt, a prolific composer known best for his Hungarian Rhapsody's, took an interest in composition at the young age of eight. This interest was instilled in him by his musically-inclined father. After his father's death, Chopin gave piano lessons from dusk till dawn so to support he and his mother. Urhan, a german violinist gave cited as inspiring Liszt's anti-classical style. Liszt would go on to champion efforts to support the faltering Berlioz school, as well as push piano technique forward -
The War of 1812
Due to maritime disagreements, US frustration when expanding into British North America, and decades of bitterness between the two countries; the War of 1812 saw the US and Britain fighting once more. This conflict saw patriotic Americans singing folk tunes in the streets as drums and fifes helped set the mood for the skirmishes that followed. On the few times Britain successfully occupied American territory, soldiers would recite the ever-famous rule Britannia to canonize their victory. -
Birth of Johann Strauss II (1825-1899)
Strauss was and still is the king of the waltz. While not the one who pioneered the form, he was certainly the composer who wrote for it the most. With over 400 waltzes polkas and quadrilles, featuring "The Blue Danube" and "Die Fledermaus", Strauss was regarded very highly by individuals among every social class. -
Birth of Saint-Saens (1835-1921)
Camille Saint-Saens was known across Europe for his work as a church organist and time as a composer. Saint-Saens began practicing music at an early age, proving so gifted that he was invited to study at the Paris conservatoire at just 13. He would go on to play in cathedrals as an organist, before serving among his countrymen in the war of 1870. Once he returned home, Camille composed far more than he played. Among his greatest works are the "Carnival of the Animals" and the "Organ Symphony." -
Birth of Pyotr Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)
Though some today claim his music was not representative of the larger Russian style of the 19th century, Tchaikovsky's music has stood the test of time. Inspired by the works of Wolfgang Mozart, Tchaikovsky aimed to improve upon his symphonic style whilst embracing Russian culture. Pyotr composed the "Overture of 1812" to commemorate the Russian's successful battle against France during the Napoleonic wars. This cemented their victory in time, and lead to pyotr receiving universal praise -
Start of the Civil War
The Civil war was the culmination of forces too multilayered to be done justice here. In the face of music however, it revived the military pushed March Style on both sides. While often similar to the fife-and-drum, taps style; there were more sophisticated and structurally rigid marches including flugelhorns and other early brass played primarily for union audiences. This emergent style would go on to influence the likes of John Philip Sousa, the quintessential composer of the modern day March.
