1. Who was Chopin, where did he come from, where did he work most of his career, what sorts of pieces did he compose throughout his life and what are some of his most famous pieces?
2. What is a waltz (valse)? Where and when did it originate? What are its characteristics?
3. Describe the structure of this piece, both in terms of overall form and phrase structure.
4. Name 10 Romantic features of this piece. What is unusual (for the period) in terms of tonality?
5. Find 4 chromatic melody notes and explain their function.
6. Divide the piece up and analyse the harmony of the entire piece (won't take long...). What sorts of especially Romantic-style chords are used here?
7. Name 3 challenges for the performer here. Explain.
8. Find appoggiaturas and acciaccaturas in the melody.
9. How are dynamics used in the piece? Discuss in a couple of sentences.
10. Describe (in a couple of sentences) how a climax is created from bar 22 - 34.
We now turn to the Romantic period proper, after the transitional music of Beethoven.
1. Compare the following classical period and romantic period pieces - list differences by the 6 concepts of music. (divide yourselves by concept)
Mozart - Rondo from Piano Concerto no 16 vs Liszt Piano Concerto no 1
Mozart Liszt
Duration Lower strings quavers Lots of dotted
rhythms Strict tempo Rubato Straight
(regular) rhythm Tempo is variable/flexible Rhythmic motif
dotted rhythm Vast contrasts of rhythm within phrases Rhythmically
consistent Shorter subdivisions of note values, faster
passagesFermatas used
Pitch Small range Enormous range in
piano and orchestra Consonant harmony Lots of
dissonance - diminished chords, lots of extended, complex chromatic
chords Bassline following root of chords Much more complex
voiceleading Modulated to dominant Modulation to C major
(using circle of thirds) - tertiary modulation to distant key Simple
repetitive melody Complex, long, hard to grasp, based around a
motif
Tone Colour Strings, flute, horns, bassoon Bigger orchestra
including piccolo, more brass, more timpanis Warm dainty round
sound Forceful, heavy, sharp, bright
Texture Homophonic Unison at
beginning, homophonic but expanded Soloist is melody over accompanying
chords Piano takes much bigger role
contrasting with orchestra Chords spread over a smaller range Chords
spread very densely over a very wide range Little pedal used - dryer,
clearer, more
defined Lots of
pedal, stormy, turbulent, thick textures with lots of pedal on piano Simpler
texture Much more complex
Structure Macro Rondo - built around a repeating refrain
Through composed Clear contrasts between sections of regular length Blurred,
unpredictable movement from one idea to the next Micro 2 or 4 bar phrases
organised in antecedent consequent structure
(question-answer) Organically developing phrases built around a central motif - unpredictable
phrase lengths - sometimes very short, sometimes very long phrases Mozart
based around repetition of melodies Liszt based around motivic development and
embellishment of harmonies
Dynamics Softer Much
much louder Clear contrasts, mainly steady mf Huge contrasts,
also a lot more flexilibility within
phrases Cleaner More
emotional
Expressive Techs Articulation Much less
pedal Much more pedal Lighter, more
detached Legato, smooth, sustained,
heavier Ornaments used - trills, (turns) Extended trills
used,no ornaments added Occasional accents
Much greater range of different accents, used all the time
Mozart "Der Vogelfanger bin ich ja" from The Magic Flute vs Wagner - Wotan's farewell
2. Read your textbook "The Spirit of Romanticism" 264-270
and answer questions 1, 2 & 3 on p270.
3. Read this summary of Romantic Musical Characteristics and summarise them in your book under the 6 concepts of music.
4. What new instruments became included in the orchestra during the nineteenth century? What new possibilities were available due to advances in instrument-making technology? Refer to your textbook, p268.
5. Choose a piece from the Romantic era, find a score for it (try imslp) and a recording, and write two paragraphs discussing its use of the Romantic characteristics summarised above.
