Music - Enrichment Activities #1 p.84

Compare the music of the romantic and classical periods.

Classical music is more known for its defined movements. The first movement usually is in Sonata form with an Exposition that moves from tonic to dominant, a development which develops themes from the Exposition and a recapitulation where the music moves back from the dominant and/or other keys to the tonic. The second movement is slow - typically an adagio or andante, the third movement is a scherzo or minuet and trio while the final movement is a Rondo, sometimes theme and variations.

The symphonic structure was adopted in the Classical time. More significant works were composed including the 9 Beethoven, the 100 plus Haydn and the 40 some Mozart Symphonies. You will notice that Romantic Symphonies are thicker in texture because the orchestration calls for more instruments but also the use of more brass instruments.

 Classical symphonies are usually strings, basson, flute, oboe, french horn, trumpet and timpani.

The sound of classical music is very smooth.

Romantic Music –on the other hand—is more flowing than smooth.

The shift here is from absolute music to program music. Romantic music tells a story, and you should be able to pick up the story the composer is trying to tell.The music is much thicker in texture, much more expressive especially with the use of rubato, and much more virtuosic. In the Romantic Generation, music was directly influenced from literary means.

The Romantic Symphony calls for a larger string section, a full compliment of winds (flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon and piccolo), full compliment of brass intruments (trumpet, trombone, french horn and occasionally Euphonium) and percussion.