What was the Romantic Period?The term “Romantic” is a description of phenomena such as views and the splendour of nature, such as sunsets with no sexual elements. During this time, romantic meant the visual pleasure of the beauty of creation.The Romantic period developed a nationalism spirit that
helped composers express their sentiments towards the political or economical
activities that were happening around that period. Composers got their inspiration from the folk
songs and dances of their home countries reminiscent of better times.
"Sometimes I can only groan, suffer, and pour out my despair at the piano." DID YOU KNOW?!IN 1881, THE PANAMA CANAL WAS BUILT. IT IS A 77.1km SHIP CANAL THAT CONNECTS THE ATLANTIC OCEAN TO THE PACIFIC OCEAN. THE PASSAGE RUNS BETWEEN CENTRAL AMERICA AND SOUTH AMERICA.
Gold RushIn 1848, a single gold nugget was found in the American River during the construction of a sawmill. This sparked the great California gold rush. The population of California increased dramatically; In San Francisco, the population grew from 1,000 to 20,000 in two years. People worldwide rushed to California, hoping to get rich quick. A total of $2 billion worth of precious metal was extracted from the area by 1852.
DID YOU KNOW?!BRAHMS EARNT A LIVING PLAYING THE PIANO IN BROTHELS AROUND HIS NATIVE HAMBURG.
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Romantic Music Characteristics and ComposersRomantic Classical music originated in the second half of the 18th century, partly a reaction against the social and political of the Industrial Revolution. Romantic music is an expression of emotion – fantasy and or adventure. Unlike classical composers, some of the Romantic composer’s did not come from musical backgrounds but were more likely artists who were broader in their thought process with less clarity or order to their thoughts. The blend of romantic and classical music had greater expression. Music grew closer to art, literature and theatre. The tone of the music was more like a poem. The descriptive approach was popular, as pieces of stand-alone orchestral music suggested anything from a painting or poem to a feeling of a patriotic nature. Romantic is described as poetry with expression and related to more emotional and personal experiences.
Some of the most significant differences of Romantic music compared to Classical and Baroque music are: more structured rhythm and percussion, greater expression and emotion, tempo fluctuations, melodic variety, vivid contrast and irregular phrases. Romantic musicians also used improved versions of instruments such as the flute and oboe, as well as more woodwind and brass sections overall in orchestra. “The use of homophony, chromatic harmony, rubato and thematic transformation was introduced. Homophony includes two or more parts that move together in harmony, only one of which being predominately melodic. This creates a more expressive sound. Chromatic harmony is when the chords used in a music piece is derived from the chromatic scale. Intensity can be added to a piece by moving forward or holding back tempo, and thematic transformation is where musical elements of a theme are altered when restated in a later movement.
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DID YOU KNOW?!IN 1896, THE OLYMPIC GAMES WERE REVIVED IN ATHENS, GREECE.
"Truly there would be reason to go mad were it not for music." DID YOU KNOW?!THE BRONTE SISTERS PUBLISHED JANE EYRE, WUTHERING HEIGHTS, AND AGNES GREY ALL IN 1847.
Eiffel TowerGustave Eiffel is largely credited for the design of the Eiffel tower. However, Maurice Koechlin and Emile Nouguier, chief engineers of the Compagnie des Etablissements Eiffel – Gustave Eiffel’s engineering firm, came up with the original drawings for the monument. In 1887, Koechlin and Nouguier along with Gustave Eiffel and French architect, Stephen Sauvestre, submitted and won a contest that was to decide the centerpiece of the 1889 World’s Fair in Paris. The wrought iron tower is constructed of 18, 000 pieces calculated specifically for the project. It required 2.5 million thermally assembled rivets and 7,300 tons of iron, as well as 60 tons of paint to protect it from the elements. The tower is 1, 063ft tall, it weighs 10,000 tons, and there are 5 billion lights on the tower. The tower has 108 stories, with 1,710 steps, and two elevators. It has been nicknamed “La Dame de Fer” or “the Iron Lady” by the French. The tower was supposed to be temporary, being removed after 20 years. Not wanting it to be dismantled, Gustave Eiffel installed a meteorology laboratory on the third floor and invited scientists to use the lab for their studies. Its height was what ultimately saved it though; in 1910, the city of Paris conceded, allowing the structure because of its usefulness as a wireless telegraphy transmitter. During WW1, French military was able to use the tower to communicate wirelessly with ships in the Atlantic Ocean and intercept enemy messages.
DID YOU KNOW?!FRANCE GIFTED THE UNITED STATES THE STATUE OF LIBERTY. THE INNER STRUCTURE IS IDENTICAL TO THE EIFFEL TOWER AND WAS ALSO MADE BY GUSTAVE EIFFEL'S ENGINEERING FIRM.
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