Classical and Romantic Music: Genres, Beethoven’s 9th
Classicism
Classical instrumental genres (formal structures were important as the musician’s life depended on noble or ecclesiastical courts):
- Sonata
- Concerto (instrument accompanied by orchestra)
- Symphony (Orchestra)
- String Quartet
Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9
Hearing
Work: Symphony No. 9
Author: Beethoven
Period: Pre-Romantic
Medium: Vocal-instrumental (symphony orchestra, mixed choir, and vocal quartet)
Form: Symphony
Features:
First movement: There are two constant themes: a dramatic one and a calm one, which constitute a problem.
Second movement: It is characterized by the appearance of a “scherzo,” a variety of tempos, from fast to slow, very dynamic with many different shades. Presents the theme of the ode.
Third movement: It is slow and calm, consistent with the second movement. It begins with a simple melody, which becomes very elaborate. It incorporates the voices, and this is the great innovation of Beethoven.
Fourth movement: Alternates vocal quartet and mixed chorus. Great expressiveness and technical difficulty for interpretation. At times, the orchestra recedes into the background. It uses elements of other movements. The structure is not strictly adhered to (Romantic).
Information on the Work
- It was written between 1822 and 1824.
- He wrote music for the Ode to Joy, by the German writer Friedrich von Schiller.
- It premiered in Vienna on May 7, 1824, and he directed it while deaf.
- The orchestration used was the largest to date.
- It included a four-voice choir and soloists: soprano, alto, tenor, and bass.
- It is divided into four movements, the latter of which includes vocal participation and contains a number of variations on the melody he composed for Schiller’s ode.
- The dimensions of the work are huge and usually last over an hour. However, the last movement could be considered a symphony in itself because, though linked, its four sections are clearly different.
- The entire structure is based on what he wanted to express, shaping the form to the idea (the main characteristic of Romanticism -> revolutionary ideals).
- It maintains the drama and tries to draw attention.
Romanticism (1815-1848)
The Romantic spirit is a spirit of expression, seeking a national identity where music represents the country. The formal structure is dependent on the expression of ideas.
Origin: It originated in the eighteenth century in Germany and the UK mainly, moving away from the balance of the Classical period.
Objectives: There is increased expression of what we want to manifest, moving away from the structure of the Classical period. There is a quest for freedom. It evokes the past, returning to medieval fantasy. It prioritizes ideas over the formal framework, adapting to the expression of ideas and feelings.
Audience: It stops being aristocratic and becomes accessible to all levels of society. Works are presented in public theaters, increasing people’s participation in music.
The middle class has more free time, and amateurs begin to perform.
Interpreter: The figure of the virtuoso performer arises, focusing on how one plays an instrument or sings. Before, fame was for the work itself; now, it’s about how the instrument is played. There is a quest for independence, and they do custom work.
Piano: The main instrument of the century in the middle class and public performances (allowing the showcasing of the soloist). It is widely used because it was greatly enhanced to take advantage of its changes in speed, intensity, pedals, and all its advantages over other instruments that were not so developed.
Forms
The Lied
It consists of the interpretation of a poem by a singer and piano. The general structure is ABA, where the first and last stanzas have the same melody, or even AABB. Schubert is the creator of lieder, and its main themes were death, love, and nature. “Lied” means song in German. It arises from the popular song but underwent great development and refinement at the time of Schubert. The factors that contributed to its development are that Germans and Austrians found inspiration in German poetry to create songs that served to express lyrically the meaning of poems with melody and harmony. Example: Am Feierabend (“The Beautiful Miller’s Wife”) by Schubert. Featured lied composers: Liszt, Brahms, Strauss.