19th Century Romanticism in Music: A Deep Dive
19th Century Romanticism in Music
Romanticism
A cultural and artistic movement extending into the 19th century, Romanticism reacted against classical formalism, championing freedom, emotion, and individualism.
Characteristics of Romanticism
- Emerged in the late 18th century, originating in Germany
- Individualism and subjectivism; expression of feelings
- Desire for freedom (political, ideological, etc.)
- Escapism through supernatural themes, distant lands, etc.
- Search for the unattainable, the infinite
- Interest
Arnold Schoenberg: A Revolutionary Evolution in Music
Arnold Schoenberg (1874-1951)
Early Influences and the Emancipation of Dissonance
Although Schoenberg’s early work in Vienna reveals influences of Brahms and Wagner, he spearheaded a musical revolution with his students. He challenged three centuries of established order by liberating music from tonality and the traditional distinction between consonance and dissonance. Schoenberg argued that dissonant notes were merely “less consonant,” thus emancipating dissonance and paving the way for new harmonic
Read More20th Century Music: A Break from Romanticism
Impressionism
The 20th century marked a departure from Romanticism and the rise of diverse musical styles. Until World War II, Romantic music coexisted with more modern forms, some entirely opposed.
These radical changes originated in the late 19th century with movements like Impressionism and Nationalism, offering a fresh alternative to Romanticism. Impressionism, emerging around 1880, was an early rebellion against Romanticism. It aimed to create evocative atmospheres and impressions through new
Read MoreMusic History: Ars Nova, Madrigal, and Baroque Music
Ars Nova
New Techniques and Innovations
Ars Nova, meaning “new things,” refers to the academic techniques emphasizing technical skill, development, innovation, and mastery of musical complexity. This era saw a flourishing of secular art, including genres like the motet and French chanson, while liturgical music maintained its central position. Innovations included shorter note values (semibreve and minim), barlines, and metrical systems (tempus perfectum). Rhythmic changes allowed composers to switch
Read MoreLiterary Genres and Subgenres: A Comprehensive Guide
Journalistic Subgenres
Informative Subgenre
News
Objectively presents facts and interesting general topics. Its structure is a model for journalistic texts:
- Headlines (subhead, title, and subtitle): Offer a superficial view of the facts, attracting readers and providing a first glimpse of events.
- Entradilla (Introduction): The first paragraph, summarizing the most relevant information. Sometimes in a different font.
- Body: The development of the news.
Reportage
In-depth journalistic work requiring intense
Read MoreRenaissance Music: From Ars Nova to Madrigals
Renaissance Music
Ars Nova (14th-16th Centuries)
Bridging the gap between the late medieval period and the Renaissance, Ars Nova is characterized by a new expressiveness in music. A key figure is Guillaume de Machaut, known for works like the Mass of Notre Dame and secular ballads. The Vermell Book, a collection of songs sung by pilgrims on their way to Montserrat, exemplifies the Spanish Ars Nova.
Early Polyphony
From the 6th to 12th centuries, early polyphony emerged with forms like organum and
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