Romantic Era Music Reviewer PDF

Romantic Era Music Reviewer Frederic Chopin In 1831, Chopin arrived in Paris and met other legendary composers such as Franz Liszt, Felix Mendelssohn, and Robert Schumann. During this time in Paris, Chopin met and married the famous French writer George Sand which later became a source of inspirati...

Romantic Era Music Reviewer Frederic Chopin In 1831, Chopin arrived in Paris and met other legendary composers such as Franz Liszt, Felix Mendelssohn, and Robert Schumann. During this time in Paris, Chopin met and married the famous French writer George Sand which later became a source of inspiration as well as a maternal figure in Chopin’s life. In the later part of Chopin’s life, his health began to decline and he was diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis. Chopin died on October 17, 1849, in Paris. Chopin’s music is recognized worldwide for its beauty and his works on the piano are mainstays in the piano repertoire. Some of his music is characterized by its beautiful tone, rhythmic flexibility, grace, and elegance. Some of his compositions like mazurkas and polonaise express his love for Poland.Chopin is famous for the following:- Ballade – a verse form or narrative that is set to music- Etude – a piece composed for the development of a specific technique- Mazurka – a Polish dance in triple time signature- Nocturne – an instrumental composition of a pensive, dreamy mood, for the piano- Polonaise – a slow Polish dance in triple time that consists of a march or procession- Prelude – a short piece of music that can be used as a preface, and introduction to another work or may stand on its own- Waltz – a German dance in triple meter- Impromptu – a short free-form musical composition usually for a solo instrument, like the piano- Scherzo – a musical movement of playful character, typically in ABA form- Sonata – composition for one or more solo instruments usually consisting of three or four independent movements varying in key, mood, and tempo Franz Liszt Franz Liszt:The best word that describes the works of Franz Liszt is "virtuosity." He was known as the virtuoso pianist, a composer and the busiest musician during the Romantic Era. He played and studied in Vienna and Paris while performing in concerts in the rest of Europe.Liszt was born in the village Doborjan, Hungary. He displayed remarkable talent at a young age and easily understood sight reading. His father was his first teacher at age six. A turning point came when in his early twenties, Liszt heard the virtuoso violinist Niccolo Paganini perform so he decided to dedicate himself in becoming a virtuoso pianist.He was known for his symphonic poems where he translated great literary works into musical compositions. He also made piano transcriptions of operas and famous symphonies. Many of his piano compositions are technically challenging pieces. He was also known with his generosity in sharing time and money to the orphans, victim of disasters, and the many students he taught music for free.Some of Liszt’s Piano works:- “La Campanella”- “Liebestraume no. 3”- Liszt’s “Hungarian Rhapsodies” were originally written for solo piano, but many were arranged for orchestra or other combinations of instruments. The Hungarian Rhapsody no. 2 is the most popular and was the basis for the “Tom & Jerry” cartoon called the “Cat Concerto”.- Un Sospiro- Sonata in B Minor- Arrangements of the 9 Beethoven Symphonies- Transcriptions of Lieder by SchubertOrchestral Composition- Symphonic Poems (“Hamlet,” “Les Preludes”) Robert Schumann Robert Schumann:One of the famous Romantic composers that beautifully combined music and words is Robert Schumann. He was a composer and music critic. Robert Alexander Schumann was born in 1810 and so in 1821, Schumann went to Leipzig to study law. However, he spent most of his time with Friedrich Wieck who took some time to teach Schumann how to play the piano. It was also this time when he wrote some of his first piano compositions. He eventually convinced his family that he should put aside law in favor of a performing career. In 1830, Schumann went to live with Wieck in Leipzig. He soon developed a problem with his hands, effectively ending his dreams as a pianist.It was in 1834 when Schumann founded the music journal, “Jornal Neue Zeitschrift fur Musik,” wherein he edited and wrote music criticism for his publication. He wrote numerous write-ups and one of which was the performance of Frederic Chopin in Paris, France. In his journal, Schumann often wrote under two pseudonyms – Eusebius (his sensitive, lyrical side) and Florestan (his fiery, stormy side).Piano Works:- “Abegg Variations,” Opus 1 (1830)- “Davidsbundlertanze” (“Dances of the Band of David”), Opus 6 (1837)- “Carnaval,” Opus 9 (1835) - a portrait of a masked ball attended by his allies and his beloved Clara- “Phantasiestucke,” Opus 12 (1837) - a series of mood pieces- “Kreisleriana,” Opus 16 (1838) - a fantasy on the mad Kapellmeister- “Kinderszenen,” Opus 15 (1838) - a poetic series of evocations of a child’s worldArt Songs:- “Frauenliebe und Leben” (“A Woman’s Love and Life”)- “Dichterliebe” (“A Poet’s Love”)Orchestral music:- “Piano Concerto in A Minor,” Opus 54- “Overture,” Scherzo- “Finale,” Opus 52 (a mini symphony)- “Konzertstuck in F Major for Four Horns and Orchestra,” Opus 86