The Romantic Era
In general Romantic music is more emotional, colourful and dramatic than the music of previous eras. Romantic doesn’t mean “love”. It is more associated with artist’s state of mind, expression of emotion……all emotions, not just love. This spirit of expression is the kernel of Romanticism.
During the Romantic era it is said that “since the main artistic value in the Romantic era was in the integrity of personal feeling, every genuine artist was expected to have a personal style. Many artists carried this very far, cultivating styles that were highly personal and even eccentric.
Furthermore, Romanticism’s constant striving after ever-new kinds of expression put a premium on innovation; this could be seen as an exciting breaking down of artistic barriers ” During the time of the Romantic era, “the Romantics search for higher experience and more intense expression provoked a reaction against the restraints of artistic form and genre. Artists resisted all rules and regulations.
Escapism..
"Romantics known as rebels against the established order"
The artists of this era wanted to be set free of these unjust aspects of the society. They needed a form of self-expression of how they felt towards all of this unfair capitalism and the mistreatment of impoverished lower classes. They, therefore, showed their anguish and pain in their music and gave way to what they called “intense expression,”
Large Orchestra Very big when compared to Classical music. Each section was larger. (It’s assumed you know the sections of the orchestra!!) Instruments were of superior quality.
Brass and percussion sections featured. Observe how Tchaikovsky uses Brass and Percussion for moments of great intensity.
Make sure you know the Transposing instruments, and the clefs used. (especially Alto and Tenor)
Programme Music; This is one of the strongest features of the Romantic era, where the composer paints a picture, tells a story, or creates a mood through music.
Dynamics; are extreme and serve the purposes of the mood rather than being solely for contrast.
Harmony; is more colourful and chromatic.
Modulations to un-related keys
Structure; Although many composers use similar forms, they are free when compared to the rigid structural procedures of the Classical era.
Instruments in the Work
A large orchestra is used in this work.
Flauto: Flute
Picc: Piccolo
Oboi: Oboe(s)
Clarinetti in A: Clarinets in A NB Transposing Instrument
Corno Inglese: English Horn – a type of oboe
Fagotti: Bassoons – uses bass clef
Corni in F: Horns in F NB Transposing Instruments
Tromboni Tenori: Tenor trombones – use tenor clef
Trombone Basso:
Bass trombone – use bass clef
Tuba: Tuba – bass clef
Timpani: Timpani
Piatti: Cymbals
Gran Cassa: Bass drum
Arpa: Harp
Violino: Violins
Viola: Viola
Violoncello: Cello
Contra Basso: Double Bass
In general Romantic music is more emotional, colourful and dramatic than the music of previous eras. Romantic doesn’t mean “love”. It is more associated with artist’s state of mind, expression of emotion……all emotions, not just love. This spirit of expression is the kernel of Romanticism.
During the Romantic era it is said that “since the main artistic value in the Romantic era was in the integrity of personal feeling, every genuine artist was expected to have a personal style. Many artists carried this very far, cultivating styles that were highly personal and even eccentric.
Furthermore, Romanticism’s constant striving after ever-new kinds of expression put a premium on innovation; this could be seen as an exciting breaking down of artistic barriers ” During the time of the Romantic era, “the Romantics search for higher experience and more intense expression provoked a reaction against the restraints of artistic form and genre. Artists resisted all rules and regulations.
Escapism..
"Romantics known as rebels against the established order"
The artists of this era wanted to be set free of these unjust aspects of the society. They needed a form of self-expression of how they felt towards all of this unfair capitalism and the mistreatment of impoverished lower classes. They, therefore, showed their anguish and pain in their music and gave way to what they called “intense expression,”
Large Orchestra Very big when compared to Classical music. Each section was larger. (It’s assumed you know the sections of the orchestra!!) Instruments were of superior quality.
Brass and percussion sections featured. Observe how Tchaikovsky uses Brass and Percussion for moments of great intensity.
Make sure you know the Transposing instruments, and the clefs used. (especially Alto and Tenor)
Programme Music; This is one of the strongest features of the Romantic era, where the composer paints a picture, tells a story, or creates a mood through music.
Dynamics; are extreme and serve the purposes of the mood rather than being solely for contrast.
Harmony; is more colourful and chromatic.
Modulations to un-related keys
Structure; Although many composers use similar forms, they are free when compared to the rigid structural procedures of the Classical era.
Instruments in the Work
A large orchestra is used in this work.
Flauto: Flute
Picc: Piccolo
Oboi: Oboe(s)
Clarinetti in A: Clarinets in A NB Transposing Instrument
Corno Inglese: English Horn – a type of oboe
Fagotti: Bassoons – uses bass clef
Corni in F: Horns in F NB Transposing Instruments
Tromboni Tenori: Tenor trombones – use tenor clef
Trombone Basso:
Bass trombone – use bass clef
Tuba: Tuba – bass clef
Timpani: Timpani
Piatti: Cymbals
Gran Cassa: Bass drum
Arpa: Harp
Violino: Violins
Viola: Viola
Violoncello: Cello
Contra Basso: Double Bass
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Listen to the complete work here or scroll down to listen to sections
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Introduction |
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Exposition
Development
Recap & coda
For detailed terminology click here!
Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen
Cantata 78 "Jesu Der Du Meine Seele" (Lord by thy Cross and Passion)
Bach was a German composer from the Baroque Era. He is one of the most influential composers of all time, with his innovation in composition - harmony and counterpoint.
The Baroque era (17th to early 18th century) was a period of church rule in music. Much of the music composed at this time was religious, and was often commisioned by the church
Features of Baroque music include:
Small Ensembles of instruments. (Check first page of the score for the typical Baroque orchestra
Use of Harpsichord/Organ with cello/ bass in the continuo part, using figured bass.
Polyphonic textures. Devices such as Canon and Imitation were frequent.
Many compositions were religious.
Modulation to closely related keys
Figured Bass.
Melodies were long and elaborate using ornamentation, like trills, and turns.
They used fewer cadences. Not like the Classical Era where they were in 2 or 4 bar phrases.
Dynamics less extreme than later music, (think Tvhaikovsky! - way less)
Other devices included Pedal notes, Suspensions, Appogiatura, notes of anticipation and sequences.
Word Painting. This Cantata is a deeply emotional piece where the words and the mood of the words is constantly being illustrated by using certain intervals, chords, as well as melismatic passages.
Jesu Der Du meine Selle is a Cantata, literally a piece that is sung as opposed to played. It is a religious work in 7 contrasting movements or sections.
The 1st and last movements are choruses.
The 2nd, 4th and 6th are Arias,
while the 3rd and 5th are Recitatives.
Bach was a German composer from the Baroque Era. He is one of the most influential composers of all time, with his innovation in composition - harmony and counterpoint.
The Baroque era (17th to early 18th century) was a period of church rule in music. Much of the music composed at this time was religious, and was often commisioned by the church
Features of Baroque music include:
Small Ensembles of instruments. (Check first page of the score for the typical Baroque orchestra
Use of Harpsichord/Organ with cello/ bass in the continuo part, using figured bass.
Polyphonic textures. Devices such as Canon and Imitation were frequent.
Many compositions were religious.
Modulation to closely related keys
Figured Bass.
Melodies were long and elaborate using ornamentation, like trills, and turns.
They used fewer cadences. Not like the Classical Era where they were in 2 or 4 bar phrases.
Dynamics less extreme than later music, (think Tvhaikovsky! - way less)
Other devices included Pedal notes, Suspensions, Appogiatura, notes of anticipation and sequences.
Word Painting. This Cantata is a deeply emotional piece where the words and the mood of the words is constantly being illustrated by using certain intervals, chords, as well as melismatic passages.
Jesu Der Du meine Selle is a Cantata, literally a piece that is sung as opposed to played. It is a religious work in 7 contrasting movements or sections.
The 1st and last movements are choruses.
The 2nd, 4th and 6th are Arias,
while the 3rd and 5th are Recitatives.
The Full work
Fore finer detailed notes click on the link across
For Terminology click on the link across |
Movement 1: Chorus
This movement is in Ritornello form and scored for SATB
The recurring theme appears 7 times (each time slightly different)
This movement also features a Chaccone (bass theme) grief motif and Joy motif and a chorale theme
The recurring theme appears 7 times (each time slightly different)
This movement also features a Chaccone (bass theme) grief motif and Joy motif and a chorale theme
GERALD BARRY - pIANO qUARTET No. 1
Distinguish between Barry's style and contemporary style. Barry uses all kinds of techniques from the entire history of music. He uses canon and old Irish tunes for example which are not contemporary. However the way he uses them is contemporary. When discussing Barry's style, comment on all or anything that is a feature of the quartet. When discussing contemporary style however, make sure the features you are discussing are contemporary.
Contemporary style
Some of his techniques are ancient, but used in a modern way. It is important to be able to recognise features of Contemporary music in his style, while also recognising that not everything he does is contemporary. .Features of contemporary music heard in Barry's Quartet include;
Dissonance, Irregular and changing time signatures, (7/8, 3/16 etc.) unusual instrumental techniques (eg note clusters, flautando) polymetre, retrograde, and the unusual form, A/B1/C1/C2/B2/C3/D1/D2+B3/E1/C4/C5/E2+D3/C6/C7/F+C8/C9/G/H
Other features of his music include, very specific tempo markings, extreme contrast of tempo, dynamics, pitch and texture at the start of each new section or when a tune repeats within a section and use of Irish melodies but these are not especially modern. His moving from one section to the next is clearly defined with no attempt make the transition smooth.
Barry's frequent use of polyphonic textures including Canon is discussed separately.
Contemporary style
Some of his techniques are ancient, but used in a modern way. It is important to be able to recognise features of Contemporary music in his style, while also recognising that not everything he does is contemporary. .Features of contemporary music heard in Barry's Quartet include;
Dissonance, Irregular and changing time signatures, (7/8, 3/16 etc.) unusual instrumental techniques (eg note clusters, flautando) polymetre, retrograde, and the unusual form, A/B1/C1/C2/B2/C3/D1/D2+B3/E1/C4/C5/E2+D3/C6/C7/F+C8/C9/G/H
Other features of his music include, very specific tempo markings, extreme contrast of tempo, dynamics, pitch and texture at the start of each new section or when a tune repeats within a section and use of Irish melodies but these are not especially modern. His moving from one section to the next is clearly defined with no attempt make the transition smooth.
Barry's frequent use of polyphonic textures including Canon is discussed separately.
For more details on the Piano Quartet click below