1820-1900

Chopin: Polish “poet of the piano”◦ Shy, rarely gave public recitals, played in intimate

salons◦ Short piano works such as nocturnes, preludes,

mazurkas, études, and polonaises Program Music (as opposed to absolute)

◦ associated with a story or specific idea ◦ no lyrics ◦ commonly represents birds, storms, bells, rivers,

etc.

Hector Berlioz: French composer◦ Known for innovative orchestration◦ Famous for Symphonie fantastique, a program

symphony depicting his love for Harriet Smithson◦ We listened to the March to the Scaffold. Know about

that. Nationalism: Intense devotion and pride for

one’s country◦ Modest Mussorgsky—Russian composer of Pictures at

an Exhibition including “The Great Gate of Kiev”◦ Bedrich Smetana—Czech composer of The Moldau◦ Antonin Dvǒrák—Czech composer who came to

America to direct the National Conservatory in NY, spent summer in Iowa and gained interest in Native American and African-American tunes, wrote New World Symphony

Russian composer (1840-1893) 6 symphonies, 1812 Overture Ballets: Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty,

Nutcracker Famous piano concerto

Austrian (1860-1911) Jewish heritage, converted to Protestantism Famous as a conductor in Europe and NY 9 symphonies

◦ Used chorus in 4 of these (like Beethoven)◦ Symphonies are very monumental in length and

number of performers (one is known as “the Symphony of a Thousand” and is an hour and a half long with a huge orchestra, 8 solo singers, a boys’ choir, and 2 choruses

Many works demonstrate exoticism, a fascination with foreign lands.

Giacomo Puccini: Italian composer of La Bohème and Madame Butterfly (Japan)

Giuseppe Verdi: Italian composer of operas very popular with the public◦ Nabucco—contains a chorus that became a national

liberation hymn during Austrian dominance◦ Rigoletto, Il Travatore, La Traviata (somewhat

scandalous topics)◦ Aïda—about an Egyptian princess

Serious operas often had tragic endings

German composer (1813-1883) Famous for massive operas (musical dramas)

◦ The Ring cycle: a group of 4 long operas based on Nordic legends, very supernatural

◦ He wrote the libretto (text) and the music. He also built a theater (Beyreuth) specifically for his operas and oversaw the rehearsals, costuming, and pretty much anything else.

◦ These had music that resembled speech (Sprechstimme), gave no time for applause after arias, and gave new importance to the orchestra.

Personality◦ Very dark, stormy, and egotistical◦ He was in debt to many people and never repaid them◦ Anti-Semitic