THE ROMANTIC PERIOD (1820-1900) Berlioz (1803-1869) One of 1 st French romantic composers Daring creator of new orchestral sounds Was sent to Paris to

• THE ROMANTIC PERIOD (1820-1900)

• Berlioz (1803-1869)• One of 1st French romantic composers• Daring creator of new orchestral sounds• Was sent to Paris to study medicine but

quickly changed to music• @ 23 became obsessed with Shakespeare and

a Shakespearean actress• His letters to her were wild and impassioned

and convinced her he was lunatic and refused him


• Berlioz (1803-1869)• Wrote Symphony Fantastique in 1830 • Semi autobiographical program music of the

weird and diabolical

• Listening Journal: • Berlioz , Symphony Fantastique

• 4th Movement


• Dvorak (1841-1904)• Nationalist movement • (composer of Czech music)• Infused his symphonies and chamber music

with Bohemian folk song and dance• Left small hometown outside of Prague to

study music at age 16 in Prague.


• Dvorak (1841-1904)• Played in an opera orchestra for years until

composition noticed by GERMAN master Brahms

• Toured the world and eventually settle in New York City as director of National Conservatory

• Continued to write in Czech style encouraged others to write in their own Nationalist style

• Listening Journal: • Dvorak , Symphony No. 9 in E Minor • 1st Movement (Czech & American folk influence)


• Brahms (1833-1897)• NeoClassical from Hamburg Germany• Father made a precarious living as a bass

player• At 13 studied piano, theory, and composition

by day • Played dance music in cafes at night• At 21 concert tour were he meet the

Schumann’s who loved his music & hailed him as a musical messiah


• Brahms (1833-1897)• Schumann hooked him up with publisher but

soon after Robert had nervous breakdown and was commited

• Brahms stayed in Schumann house to help Clara with seven children

• Passed over for Hamburg Philharmonic conductor position and moves to Vienna


• Brahms (1833-1897)• In Vienna resurrects forgot Bach , Handel, and

Mozart pieces• Lived rest of life very frugally • Died at 64 of cancer

• Listening Journal : • Brahms

• Symphony No. 3 • 3rd Movement


• Puccini (1858-1924)• One of Romantics best known composers of

Opera• Italian born, attended Milan University and

studied composition• 1st Opera, shortly after graduation brought

commission & annual income from Italy’s leading music publisher

• Was concerned with the theatrical aspects of his operas as much or more than the music


• Puccini (1858-1924)• Known in the 1890 for VERISMO • VERSIMO = realism or true to life operas• Died before finishing his last Opera which was

completed by a friend• Listening Journal

• Puccini, La Boheme (1896)• Opera set in poor Latin Quarter of Paris• Boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy & girl united

as girl dies in boy’s arms of illness


• Wagner (1813-1883)• Preeminent Germany composer of his time• Had own theater built solely for his music

performances• Powerful Operas with a Big Sound (horns & Brass)• Born Liepzig, Germany to theatrical family • Wanted to be playwright but at 15 overwhelmed

by Beethoven’s music• Studied musical scores and composition but

never mastered an instrument


• Wagner 1813-1883)• At Leipzig University dueled, drank, gambled,

& ran up debts he never repaid• After school tried luck conducting in Paris but

came back to Germany miserable• Successful Operas and conducting back in

Germany but continued to run up debts• Wagner’s music genius was allied with

selfishness, ruthlessness, Rabid GERMAN nationalism


• Wagner (1813-1883)• Listening Journal :

• Wagner Die Walkure Act 1 • (love scene conclusion)

• Part of WAGNER’s RING CYCLE • Set of operas based in Noris legend which are his

comment of 19th century lust for money & power• Includes LIETMOTIF • music phrase, melody, sound ,ect.. associated

with different characters, scenes, ect..


• Debussy (1862-1918)• French Impressionist who linked the 19th and

20th centuries• From age 10 to 22 studied at Paris

Conservatory were he was considered a “talented rebel”

• Influenced by trips to Russia and by Asian music performed at the Conservatory

• Also struck by ideas and music of Wagner who both attracted and repelled him


• Debussy (1862-1918)• Lead unsettled life composing and teaching

piano• Not until 1902 was he recognized as a great

French composer• Impressionism in music • stress on tone color, atmosphere, and fluidity

and less on structural forms of past.


• Debussy (1862-1918)• LISTENING JOURNAL :

• Debussy : Prelude to an afternoon of a faun• Program Music illustrating a poem by

Stephane Mallarme• Poem evokes the dreams and fantasies of a

pagan forest creature who is half man and half goat.

• Ballet has been written to this piece & are now often performed together

Documents

THE ROMANTIC PERIOD (1820-1900) Berlioz (1803-1869) One of 1 st French romantic composers Daring creator of new orchestral sounds Was sent to Paris to