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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 who composed French opera titled Lodoïska in 1791 -
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Ludwig van Beethoven
He is the transitional figure from the Classical to the Romantic style, composed all genres, began loosing his hearing as a young man -
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The French Revolution
Did not occur within the Romantic Era timespan but it did effect the composers of this time. -
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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 -
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Franz Schubert
Composed in all genres, over 600 Lieder -
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Hector Berlioz
One of the most important early innovators of new orchestration and genres; French -
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Felix Mendelssohn
Composer of most genres, revived of J.S. Bach’s music in Leipzig -
Important Points for Romanticism
Poets and musicians focused on trying to create moments during which ‘inexpressible longing’ could be felt, This was the ultimate issue of the romantic aesthetic -
Rescue Operas
The public loved this topic as they imagined good triumphing over wrong, the freeing of the oppressed, and most importantly, heroism, Beethoven only composed one opera which was a rescue opera called Fidelio in 1805 -
Orchestral changes in the 19th century
New combinations of instruments
More instruments were added to the orchestra: orchestras increased in size
More brass and percussion were included -
Lieder
Composers created poetry settings and emotional expression and they were cheap to perform or share with others
Lieder are re-envisioned in the 19th century -
Character Pieces
One-movement piano pieces: equally cheap to perform
Composers usually performed their own
They could be performed anywhere with a piano -
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Musical Manifestations of the new Romantic style
More minor keys, larger orchestras and choirs, longer pieces, more percussion and brass, phrasing less symmetrical and more expansive, ascending sixths favored in melodies -
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Romantic Nostalgia
A focus on the past and the romanticizing of it, medieval topics, palestrina was revived, studied, and imitated -
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Robert Schumann
More important as an editor and promoter of music -
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Frédéric Chopin
Pianist (delicate style) and composer -
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Franz Liszt
Piano virtuoso, writer, conductor, composer, innovator, supporter of Wagner -
Erlkönig
Based on the legend that whoever is touched by the king of the elves must die -
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Clara Schumann (Wieck)
Virtuoso pianist, composer, wife of Robert -
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Bedřich Smetana
Bohemian
Best known for his programmatic cycle of 6 symphonic poems called Má vlast (My Country)
Considered the founded of Czech music -
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Louis Moreau Gottschalk
American Nationalist
Born in New Orleans
His mother was from the Caribbean, and his father was of British Jewish heritage -
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Johannes Brahms
German romantic composer
Continued the classical traditions, especially in form
A scholar; one of the first editors of J. S. Bach’s music
In 1850 when certain composers in Germany wanted to honor Bach, they began a collected edition -
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Antonin Dvořák
From Bohemia (Czechoslovakia)
Eight years younger than Brahms; they were friends
Czechoslovakian nationalist composer -
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Ignacy Jan Paderewski
Polish pianist and composer
Prime minister and foreign minister of Poland in 1919
Made a piano roll recording of this piece