HOLY INFANT SCHOOL-TAGBILARAN

0271 Tomas Cloma Avenue, Booy District, Tagbilaran City

MUSIC 9
3 QUARTER 1ST HALF
RD

WEEK 17
Name: Score:

COMPLETE THE LETTERS BELOW TO KNOW THE NAME OF THIS MUSIC MOVEMENT

R _____ M______ ______ T ______ C E ______ A

The historical – cultural background of instrumental Romantic Era

Primarily, the romantic movement was intellectual, artistic, and literary movement that started
in the second half of the 18th century in Europe. It gained momentum when people reacted against the
industrial revolution. It started as a literary movement in Germany I the late 18 th century when Romantic
ideas from Germany to other European countries.

How is Romantic Era music related to its historical and cultural background?

As a result of the social and political standards of the 18 th century, Romantic era music became
the result of a period of change. People in the romantic era moved away from the standards of balance
and restraint prominent during the classical period. The romantic era swayed away from the classical
period by allowing artistic freedom and experimentation. Music melody became a dominant
characteristic of music and it became very expressive.

The characteristic features of instrumental Romantic music

Noteworthy are the music characteristics attributed to Romanticism. These characteristics

include themes that focused on national identity, surrender to nature, the mystic and supernatural, a
longing for the infinite, the strange and surprising, spiritual experiences, and subjectivism. During the
Romantic era , musicians started new ways for expressing music like lengths of composition, new ways
to harmonize, and tonal relationships.

Art and media portrayed Romantic era elements

Romantic era elements are presented in arts and media in the form of paintings and literature.
Like the music of the era, they reflect themes that focused on surrender to nature; the mystic and
supernatural; a longing for the infinite, the strange, and the surprising; and spiritual experiences.

The musical elements of Romantic era music

Elements of the Romantic era gave way to changes in vocal music. The art song became lyrical,
and composers gave efforts to associate the music text to its musical counterpart. Here are some of its
elements:
 First, compared to the dramatic tones of the opera, the melody tones become more lyrical.
Poetry was converted into a form that maybe emotionalized through music. Next, the use of the piano
as accompaniment resulted to the adding of emotion, mood, and meaning to the melody through the
use of harmonic, rhythmic, and melodic material independent of the voice.

The performance practices during the Romantic Era

Romantic music composers found themselves essentially compelled to use sharp contrasts. This
maybe found in the use of dynamics as composers sought to include expressiveness in their composition
through the use of abrupt changes in music volume. Other than volume, contrasts were also found in
the use of range of pitch, as compositions contained extreme use of high or low sounds.

Activity1. Answer the following questions.

1. What is the historical – cultural background of instrumental Romantic Era?

2. How is Romantic Era music related to its historical and cultural background?

3. What are the characteristic features of instrumental Romantic music?

4. What kind of art and media portrayed Romantic era elements?

5. What are the musical elements of Romantic era music?

6. What were the performance practices during the Romantic Era?