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Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
German writer and statesman
His writings were incredibly influential on our Romantic composers Already a celebrity by age 25 Wrote: poetry, dramas, an autobiography, books about literature, 4 novels, and scientific books on anatomy, botany, and color -
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Luigi Cherubini
Italian composer: French opera titled Lodoïska (1791). Plot: the defeat of oppression dramatized as a heroic rescue from enslavement and imprisonment
This need to display liberty, equality, and heroism fueled not only opera, but music performances in general, and not just in France, but in other parts of Europe as well -
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Sturm und Drang
a new emotional movement in German literature took place -
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Napolean Bonaparte
Napoléon Bonaparte had been a military leader during the Revolution.
In 1799 he was installed as the First Consul of the Consulate and progressively extended his personal control over France.
In October 1813, a large Allied army defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Leipzig. The next year, the Allies launched an invasion of France and captured Paris, forcing Napoleon to abdicate in April 1814. He was exiled to the island of Elba. -
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Ludwig van Beethoven
He is the transitional figure from the Classical to the Romantic style
Composed all genres:
9 symphonies
1 (bad) opera
Much piano music
Lieder
Many chamber pieces -
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Chancellor of Austria, Klemenz Wenzel von Metternich
Hosted the Congress of Vienna and was instrumental in shaping social activities
The social activities fueled two new musical genres: the character piece and the Lied (song) -
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An article was published about Beethoven’s instrumental music written by E. T. A. Hoffmann
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Carl Maria von Weber
Composed the first German romantic opera “Der Freischütz” (The Magic Bullet, 1819-21) -
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French Revolution
The “common” people saw themselves as empowered to break free from oppression. Nobility oppression of the commoners. The commoners revolted. -
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Gioacchino Rossini
The most important opera composer in the early 19th century
In fact, the most famous composer in Europe in the early 19th century -
Paris Conservatory
France founded the Paris Conservatory as a state institution for the training of musicians
Replaced the training in churches and courts
Cherubini was on the founding faculty and became its director in 1822 -
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Franz Schubert
Composed in all genres, over 600 Lieder -
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Gaetano Donizetti
Italian opera composer -
Antonio Salieri
Antonio Salieri:
He told his biographer, Mosel, in 1800 the following: “From that period [around 1800] I realized that musical taste was gradually changing in a manner completely contrary to that of my own times. Eccentricity and confusion of genres replaced reason and masterful simplicity.” -
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Vincenzo Bellini
Italian opera composer -
Fidelio
Beethoven composed only one opera; it was in this genre -
Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Opus 67 (1808), Mvt. 1
- First movement uses an insistent rhythmic drive
- The opening motive is used throughout all movements as a unifying device: cyclic symphony
- The first movement is constructed almost entirely from the 4-note opening motive
- Theorists call the 1st movement “Organic”
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Felix Mendelssohn
Composer of most genres, revived of J.S. Bach’s music in Leipzig -
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Romantic Era
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Robert Schumann
More important as an editor and promoter of music -
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Frederic Chopin
Pianist (delicate style) and composer -
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Franz Liszt
Piano virtuoso, writer, conductor, composer, innovator, supporter of Wagner -
Hoffmann calls Beethoven a genius
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The Carlsbad Decrees
These decrees placed severe limits on freedom of expression by individuals (including artists) and institutions such as Universities and presses.
Vienna was not a place in the 1820s that allowed any kind of artistic expression. -
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Clara Schumann
Virtuoso pianist, composer, wife of Robert -
Evolved Romanticism
Objects, art, and life were all romanticized
Emotions were romanticized also
The individual was valued, thus placing more focus on what the composer had to say and express
Composers became more important than the performer in the eyes of the audience -
Royal Academy of Music
London opened its own music school called the Royal Academy of Music -
Allgemeine musikalische Zeitung
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New York Philharmonic
New York Philharmonic was founded