Page 146 - (DK) The Classical Music Book - Big Ideas Simply Explained

144 INTRODUCTION

Niccolò Paganini Franz Schubert’s In Paris, Hector Intended to convey a
composes the first of his song cycle Die schöne Berlioz premieres longing for springtime,
24 Caprices for Solo Müllerin marks Symphonie fantastique, Robert Schumann
Violin, which are among the high point in one of the most writes his Symphony
the most difficult violin the German Lied influential works in the No. 1 over four days
pieces of all time. (song) form. programmatic genre. in January.

1805 1824 1830 1841

1821 1826 1839 1846

Based on a German folk Epitomizing Frédéric Chopin’s The colorful
legend, Carl Maria Beethoven’s late style, cycle of 24 preludes, orchestration of Felix
von Weber’s opera his String Quartet covering all major Mendelssohn’s Elijah
Der Freischütz No. 14, Op. 131 abandons and minor keys, breathes new life
explores German the quartet’s traditional defies conventional into the oratorio, a
national identity. form and development. thematic structure. Baroque genre.

he Romantic movement bohemian clothes replaced the wigs example, are in a more Classical
arose largely as a reaction and formal costumes of the Classical style. Yet Schubert was inspired by
T to the rationalization and period, and the lifestyles of the the subjects of German Romantic
urbanization of European society Romantic composers were often poetry in the songs, or Lieder, for
following the Industrial Revolution. as colorful as their music. which he is best known. This
From the end of the 18th century, Beethoven developed a more aspect of Romanticism, especially
writers, artists, and composers personal style of music from 1803. the love of nature, later inspired the
turned away from the formal In what is regarded as his “middle work of Robert Schumann, whose
elegance of the Classical period period,” he produced groundbreaking symphonies and piano pieces were
in favor of personal expression piano sonatas, string quartets, often programmatic (painting a
and a fascination with nature. In other forms of chamber music, and, picture or telling a story in music),
music, this manifested itself in a above all, symphonies. In his “late a genre begun by Beethoven’s
gradual expansion of the harmonic period,” a final burst of creativity, “Pastoral” Sixth Symphony, which
and instrumental palette to appeal when he was isolated from the depicts a series of rural scenes.
to the emotions rather than the world by profound deafness, he Hector Berlioz relished the
intellects of the audience. produced work of extraordinary possibilities offered by a larger
intensity, such as his last piano orchestra and extended harmonic
The new style sonatas, string quartets, and language. His operas, orchestral,
Beethoven fulfilled the stereotype the Ninth Symphony, with its and choral works, all on a grand
of the Romantic musician, as innovative choral finale. scale with large orchestras, were
did the violinist Niccolò Paganini Not every composer joined the expressive and highly personal. He
and some other virtuoso performer- Romantic tide. The instrumental continued the drift away from the
composers. Long unkempt hair and works of Franz Schubert, for abstract to the programmatic in his

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