MUSIC 120 Lecture Notes - Lecture 20: Erlking, Tonality, Vater Percussion
Romanticism 1820-1900
Classical Romantic Modern
1770s - 1820 1820 (27) 1900 (1920s)
The 19th-century Romantic aesthetics valued
feeling & instinct over proscribed forms
Romantic musicians both borrowed from &
revolted against perceived “classicism”
Europe’s cultural life was irrevocably altered
after Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo in 1815.
With the demise of the old patronage system
and the dissolution of the old social order,
19th-century composers came from a variety
of backgrounds & musical training.
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19th-century Romanticism brought debates
about the “meaning” & “purpose” of music—
particularly in Germany
[Aside: “Metaphysics” is a traditional branch of philosophy concerned with explaining
the fundamental nature of being and the world that encompasses it, although the term is
not easily defined.]
E.T.A. Hoffmann: instrumental music
. . . discloses to man . . . a world in
which he leaves behind him all
definite feelings to surrender
himself to an
inexpressible
longing
Romanticism brings:
1. New ways of thinking about music
2
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2. New genres and forms—from the monumental to
the miniature; evocative titles (e.g., “nocturnes,”
“etudes,” “bagatelles”)
3. New kinds of composers: the composer as
essayist/critic/philosopher/political figure
4. New instruments & technologies
5. A new level of virtuosity & new kind of performer
3
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Document Summary
1770s - 1820 1820 (27) 1900 (1920s) The 19th-century romantic aesthetics valued feeling & instinct over proscribed forms. Romantic musicians both borrowed from & revolted against perceived classicism . Europe"s cultural life was irrevocably altered after napoleon"s defeat at waterloo in 1815. With the demise of the old patronage system and the dissolution of the old social order, 19th-century composers came from a variety of backgrounds & musical training. 19th-century romanticism brought debates about the meaning & purpose of music particularly in germany. [aside: metaphysics is a traditional branch of philosophy concerned with explaining the fundamental nature of being and the world that encompasses it, although the term not easily defined. ] is. Hoffmann: instrumental music discloses to man . a world in which he leaves behind him all definite feelings to surrender himself to an inexpressible longing. New genres and forms from the monumental to the miniature; evocative titles (e. g. , nocturnes, .
