StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Comparison between Classical and Romantic Periods in Western Music - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
The author compares classical western music, the music in the European region between 1720 and 1830 and Romantic western music which refers to the music that evolved after the classical western music. The music carried deep expressions of emotion mainly romance. …
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER94.8% of users find it useful
Comparison between Classical and Romantic Periods in Western Music
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Comparison between Classical and Romantic Periods in Western Music"

Comparison between classical and romantic periods in Western musicClassical western music is the music in the European region between 1720 and 1830. The music had its origin in church music, western art and concert music. Romantic western music refers to the music that evolved after the classical western music. The music carried deep expressions of emotion mainly romance.One of the major differences between the two periods of music is that, during the classical period, music was more restrained while in the romantic period music became more exuberant.

During the classic period, apart from the energy used in playing the instruments, little energy was used during the performance. Movement was minimal as people performed and danced to the music. In contrast, during the romantic music period, both the performers and the dancers to the music became more physically involved in the music. More energy was used in playing the musical instruments and to dance to the music.Another major difference between the two periods is that, during the romantic period, music stressed strong emotions as opposed to the music during the classic period.

Music during the classical period did not portray deep emotions.About harmony, minor tones provided the music framework during the classical music period. Music composers wanted to have more control over their songs. The figured bass was not used during the classical music period. Amateur musicians were incapable of improvising from the bass. On the other hand, harmony during the romantic music period was expanded. Color and chromatic harmonies were added to the music.The performing mediums used during the classical music period were not as sophisticated as the accompaniments used during the romantic music period.

They were, for example, made of wood and strings and were easy to operate as accompaniments to the music. During the romantic music period, accompaniments got more sophisticated. They included pianos and other digital equipment which were not easy to operate.About form, classical music consisted of contrasting movements. The contrast was evident in tempo and character. The forms included opera, concerto and symphony. In the romantic musical period, a few forms have been invented. They include symphonies and sonatas.

During the classical period, composers were used by the ruling class for entertainment. They were paid handsomely by the aristocrats. They were charged with the responsibility of composing and maintaining musical libraries. During the romantic period, they used music to express their emotions. Some of the emotions they expressed included affection. Inspiration was drawn from history, love and the supernatural. About style, during the classical period music was homophonic, elaborately ornamented and light in texture.

In the romantic period, music became more heavily textured.Joseph Haydn is one of the major composers during the classical music period. He was born in Australia and is referred to as the father of the symphony. He pioneered the development of the string quartet and symphony. His biggest work is the London Symphony. Another major composer during the classic period is Wolfgang Amadeus. He is known for the operas like the magic flute and Don Giovanni. Christoph Willibald was a German composer during the classical era.

Operatic reforms represent a big portion of his works.Ludwig Beethoven was one of the major composers during the romantic period. Symphony number nine of 1824 is a representation of his work. Richard Wagner is another composer in the romantic period. He pioneered extreme chromatics in music. Franz Schubert was another great composer in the romantic period. His songs are masterpieces of dramatic beauty.Works cited:Burkholder, J P, and Claude V. Palisca. Norton Anthology of Western Music. New York: W.W. Norton, 2006. Print.Kirby, F E.

Music in the Classic Period: An Anthology with Commentary. New York [N.Y.: Schirmer Books, 1979. Print.Rosen, Charles. The Romantic Generation. Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press, 1995. Print.Wright, Craig M, and Bryan R. Simms. Music in Western Civilization. Belmont, CA: Thomson Schirmer, 2006. Print.Raeburn, Michael, and Alan Kendall. Heritage of Music. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1989. Print.Schwartz, Judith L, and William Brown. Self-study Module for History of Music in the Classic Period.

Evanston, Ill.: School of Music, Graduate Division, Northwestern University, 1981. Print.Weiss, Piero, and Richard Taruskin. Music in the Western World: A History in Documents. Australia: Thomson/Schirmer, 2008. Internet resource.

Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Classical vs. Romantic Era Compare/Contrast Essay”, n.d.)
Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/music/1643081-classical-vs-romantic-era-comparecontrast-essay
(Classical Vs. Romantic Era Compare/Contrast Essay)
https://studentshare.org/music/1643081-classical-vs-romantic-era-comparecontrast-essay.
“Classical Vs. Romantic Era Compare/Contrast Essay”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/music/1643081-classical-vs-romantic-era-comparecontrast-essay.
  • Cited: 1 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Comparison between Classical and Romantic Periods in Western Music

Borrowings in Classical Music Between Countries, Composers, Different Ages

The paper “Borrowings in Classical music Between Countries, Composers, Different Ages” tells that the end of 18th century was marked by a fairly widespread desire for national originality in literary and music matters in Germany, even though patriotic feeling in the political sense hardly existed.... hellip; According to the findings, it can, therefore, be said that the notion that music is invariably or inherently detached from the public events and politics of their age is a fiction, one to which many people are strongly attached, but which obscures and distorts a proper and full understanding of their work....
8 Pages (2000 words) Essay

Landscape Painting

The romanticism movement came into existence around the second half of the 18th century and developed further during the industrial revolution in western Europe.... The romanticism movement came into existence around the second half of the 18th century and developed further during the industrial revolution in western Europe.... Romanticism put more emphasis on emotion and romantic ideals as a source of aesthetic experience that was achieved by confronting untamed nature and its qualities from a picturesque perspective in all categories (“Romanticism in art”, n....
1 Pages (250 words) Assignment

Music as a Form of Art

Music has therefore evolved across periods in history.... These factors have also historically varied to define different types of music… This paper seeks to explore historical evolution of music across these periods. The medieval period marks the beginning of music's history.... It reportedly began with music music is a form of art that is expressed through variation of sound.... These factors have also historically varied to define different types of music across periods than include medieval, renaissance, baroque, classical, romantic, and contemporary music periods....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

Classical music

It is mentioned that indeed classical and romantic composers developed a genre of music that many folks instantly loved and related to.... nbsp; Insert Introduction Indeed ical and romantic composers developed a genre of music that many folks instantly lovedand related to.... The author of the present essay entitled "Classical music" comments on the phenomenon of classical music.... hellip; There are numerous factors that have worked in tandem to result to this changed relationship between contemporary classical music and audiences....
1 Pages (250 words) Essay

Romantic music and development of Renaissance painting

The researcher of this essay "Romantic music and development of Renaissance painting" aims to analyze To what extent are the main themes of Romantic music a development of Renaissance painting and to what extent are they distinctly different.... … This paper will focus on two episodes in its development such as Romantic music as well as Renaissance painting, analyzing similarities as well as differences between them.... The development of Romantic music was driven by the same force that Renaissance painting was....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

Romanticism and Classical Music Styles

This paper is considering the classical music period is that which describes the music of the likes of Haydn and other composers of the mid-18th century, emphasizing on harmony and proportion.... It had a high regard for instruments as part of music and sought to bring about emotional balance as well as caution.... hellip; Romanticism on the other hand appeared in the late 18th century and consisted of various features, among them being; romantic music themes that expressed one-self and nature....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

Forms in a Classical Symphony

Yet it should be mentioned, that Beethoven is considered to be “a bridge” between classical and romantic symphony (“Symphony in the Classical Period”).... Maybe, for this reason the most monumental figures in history of Western classical music were working in genre of a symphony in later 18th – early 19th century.... One (usually, a primary) theme or several Forms in a ical symphony A symphony is the most monumental genre in ical music....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

Comparison of Music Genres

In this paper, we will discuss two genres which are classical and jazzmusic and compare and contrast them.... The author compares different music genre and concludes that the differences between jazz and classical music are seen in the choice of the instrument, how the music is played and the style.... As much improvisation is in jazz and classical music, it also helps in distinguishing the two types of music....
1 Pages (250 words) Essay
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us