Orchestral Landmarks

Classical or non-classical?Cadenza Recapitulation

Tone row

Balanced phrasing

Melody in the strings

Schubert

Wagner

Programme musicConcerto

Minimalism

Dissonance

Exposition

Classical or non-classical?

Cadenza

Recapitulation

Tone row

Balanced phrasing

Melody in the strings

Schubert

Wagner

Programme musicConcerto

Minimalism

DissonanceExposition

Orchestral Landmarks

• Classical period (1750 – 1800)

• Late Classical (1800 – 1830)

• Romantic period (1830 – 1900)

• 20th Century (1900 – 2000)

Late Classical (1800-1830)• Beethoven increased the size of the orchestra (cymbals, bass drum, triangle,

three trombones, piccolo, double bassoon, lots of strings) and even added a choir.

• Uses classical structures (symphony, concerto etc) but creates tension and drama.

• Includes powerful themes (5th Symphony)

• Contrasting sections (brass against strings)

• Introduction of dynamic variation. .

• Rhythm drives the music forward. .

Programme Music

• Usually based on a feeling, book, painting or poem. Programme music tells a story.

• Creates pictures with sound (woody clarinet/birdlike flute – tone colour).

• Orchestration was a key concern of Romantic composers.

Romantic Revolution!

• Massive range of dynamics (ppp, sf, ppp in one bar).

• Expression markings (dolce, amoroso, agitato etc)

• Frequent tempo changes (inc rubato)

• Changes in texture are commonplace

Romantic Structures

• Symphonic / Tone Poem – large, 1 movement piece often using a single theme which develops all the way through the piece.

• Incidental Music – played between the acts of a play. Music reflects the action on stage. Peer Gynt – Grieg (1875)

Classical Orchestra (30 - 40 players)

Kettle Drums

French Horns Trumpets

Flutes Clarinets

Oboes Bassoons

Second Violins Double Basses

Violas

First Violins Cellos

Romantic Orchestra (70 players)

+Cymbals +Triangle + Tubular Bells

+Bass Drum +Piano

+Tuba

+Piccolo +Cor Anglais +Bass Clarinet

+Double Bassoon +Saxophone

+Harp

Romantic Orchestra

• Any instrument could have the melody or a solo.

• Valves in brass instruments led to extended parts.

• Introduction of a conductor.

• Sections of the orchestra were treated like ensembles.

Nationalist Music

• Some composers used dance rhythms or folk melodies from their countries.

• 1812 Overture – Tchaikovsky

A Liszt of some Romantic Composers

• Liszt• Johann Strauss II• Tchaikovsky• Richard Strauss• Verdi• Wagner• Schumann• Chopin• Berlioz

• Smetana• Brahms• Dvořák • Grieg• Rachmaninoff• Sibelius

Homework!

• Revise information on the Classical period.

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