ROMANTIC PERIOD ~1800-1900
Expressive and inventive. Expansive symphonies, virtuosic piano music, dramatic operas, and passionate songs took inspiration from art and literature..
Main features of romantic period of music are:
Thicker sonorities, with significant use of the sustaining pedal in piano music
Wide dynamic range and dramatic contrasts
Rich harmonies and expressive use of chromatic notes
Flexibility of tempo, including use of rubato
Phrases tending to be less regular and predictable in length
Freedom of form and design
Wide keyboard range
Some composers to listen to:
BRAHMS
CHOPIN
DVORAK
ELGAR
GRIEG
LISZT
SCHUMANN
TCHAIKOVSKY
The following stylistic hallmark given for the romantic period shouldn’t be
considered as exclusive or comprehensive description.
This stylistic hallmark should be considered in combination with other styles, as clearly many of them can apply to music of any period.