The woodwind and brass sections, with instruments parts being produced in factories, were significantly expanded. (Miller) Tchaikovsky's music is exemplary of the Romantic period styles in many ways. "Tchaikovsky's music was marked by its sensuously rhythmic pulse, which enabled him to create the world's greatest ballet music. The music shows a mixture of playful classicism and romantic verve. That he should incorporate such melodies into his symphonies prompted critics to attack." (NPRN) His work included orchestral pieces, ballets, operas, and chamber music. It became popular because the melodies were so beautiful, and the orchestrations were innovative and enjoyable, and the style of his work helped to define what Romantic period music was to be known as. (Daum)
One of the significant historical events that inspired the composers of the Romantic era were the recent wars and many revolutions that were uprising throughout Europe. A lot of Romantic music reflected war and revolution, and Tchaikovsky is of course no exception. One of his most famous works, the "1812 Orchestra," tells the story of Napoleon's invasion of Russia, and of the French emperors defeat there. This event shaped the reality of Europeans and Russians alike, and from a nationalist perspective it was a monumental even in many ways for the Russians, occurring right at the starting line of the Romantic period. Many Russian folk songs are actually quoted throughout the piece, heightening the patriotism of the work. "The lower strings begin quietly with the melody of a hymn 'God preserve thy people'. Then a loud drum stroke shatters this peaceful prelude. The music gathers pace and snatches of the French revolutionary 'La Marseillaise', herald Napoleon's invading armies. A lyrical passage suggesting the resolute spirit of the Russian people contrasts with the sounds of battle. Descending phrases, becoming gradually weightier, lead to the final celebration of victory, with a rendition of the Russian anthem 'God Save the Tsar', a salute of canon, and the joyful clamor of the Moscow Kremlin bells." (Fry) This piece utilized real canons, bells, and guns on stage to add to the sound, a kind of revolutionary way of performing music that illustrated the rebellion of the Romantic era, and which would be used in other musical forms to the present day.
The Romantic era of art, including paintings and other art forms as well as music, saw a revival in the themes of ancient mythologies, particularly Greek stories. " in the Romantic era, music acquired poetic or philosophical meaning. Antiquity, folklore, history and exotic cultures were examined as possible sources of inspiration." (Dorak, Romantic) Tchaikovsky again represented this aspect of the Romantic period by incorporating such themes in his work, for example his "Swan Lake" which is considered to be one of the greatest ballets ever written. Swans, in particular ones that shape-shift, are significant in Celtic, Greek, Hindu, and Nordic mythology. In "Swan Lake," a princess has been turned into a swan by an evil sorcerer, and a prince falls in love with her.
A large part of the Romantic movement was the Russian Nationalism movement in music. "In the 1830s, a national musical style -marked with emphasis on folk songs, folk-dances, and especially folk rhythms- began to emerge in Russia. This coincided with similar nationalistic movements in other countries such as Poland, Bohemia, and Scandinavian countries. The Russian music is considered to be among the greatest of national music." (Dorak Russian) Before the 1830s, Russia was dominated by composers from other countries, Tchaikovsky was the first great Russian symphonist, and he did incorporate folk material into his work consistently, though it can be found in his songs, piano music, and chamber music more than his orchestral music.
However, unlike some of the other Russian composers, nationalism was never a passion for Tchaikovsky, and his symphonic work is almost more German in style. (Moreno)
Tchaikovsky's music remains relevant and celebrated in our society today. His success during his own time was due in large part to the patronage of a wealthy...
Music-Romantic Period 'ROMANTICISM' is a concept that can be easily recognized but is probably just as difficult to define. Like all other movements, Romanticism also emerged as a reaction to general idea, practices, social norms and political problems of the time. The general concept of romanticism sees music as an expression of intimate and sublime emotions. The period that can be categorized as romantic varies but generally covers the decades from
Russian composer Piotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) was that of his Romeo and Juliet Fantasy (first composed in 1869 and subsequently revised 1870 and 1880). In this composition, Tchaikovsky adapted Shakespeare's tragedy of thwarted adolescent love into the sonata form. (Grout & Palisca 584) Although the play that inspired this musical work is often called tragic rather than Romantic in its orientation, Tchaikovksy's interpretation of the tale is a clear
"O Sylvan Wye! thou wanderer thro' the woods, / How often has my spirit turned to thee!" (http://www.uoregon.edu/~rbear/ballads.html) Now, the poet wishes to "transfer" the healing powers of nature that he himself has experienced to his sister. By stating."..Nature never did betray / the heart that loved her" (http://www.uoregon.edu/~rbear/ballads.html) Wordsworth assures his sister that she will also find peace in the middle of nature if she believes in the
American-born choreographers and dancers also added to the development of American ballet. "Choreographers such as Ruth Page, Agnes de Mille, and Jerome Robbins created dances to specifically American themes. American dancers who have gained fame in the 1900's include Maria Tallchief, Suzanne Farrell, Cynthia Gregory, Edward Villella, and Arthur Mitchell" (Ballet History, 2006). Ballet became firmly established in Australia in the early 1900's soon after visits by the ballerinas Adeline
Suddenly Western Music no longer needed to follow all the old rules. Just as the abstract painters dispensed with the traditional canon of art at just the same time, so also men like Bartok and Stravinsky take a fresh look at what constituted good music. According to Bartok, the aesthetic success of this new homophonic-polyphonic music would depend upon the "harmonic entity" that results from the rise and fall of
French Romantic painter, Eugene Delacroix, is well-known from this period. Delacroix often took his subjects from literature but added much more by using color to create an effect of pure energy and emotion that he compared to music. He also showed that paintings can be done about present-day historical events, not just those in the past (Wood, 217). He was at home with styles such as pen, watercolor, pastel, and
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