CHARACTERISTICS

 

• The Romanticism covered the whole 19th century and it was the most outstanding period in the history of music: for the first time, the language of sounds acquired the status of privileged language above the rest of arts. 

• Romantic music was the result of the new society that appeared since the French Revolution, which praised mankind's freedom above all things. The composer was no longer constraint by a patron, so he was admired and recognized as a 'genius´.

• Musical characteristics:

            - music expresses freedom

            -  melody was the most important element

            - flexible beats

            - dynamic effects

            - Small and intimate forms appeared, written for       piano and voice. They were composed to be enjoyed during intimate evenings.

            - Large spectacular forms like opera or symphonic music.

           - Timbric richness of the orchestra was completely developed.

            - Virtuosity was part of the performance.

            - Nationalism appeared as part of Romanticism, which reinforce the idea of individuality and also to highlight the typical and characteristic aspects through folklore.