Romantic concerto

• Romantic orchestra


  Orchestra became even bigger.

  Many more strings.

  Double woodwind and extended woodwind (piccolo, contra bassoon, cor anglais, bass clarinet). Clarinet became an established member of the woodwind section.

  Ranges and textures available to composers were extended due to extended woodwind.

  Brass - trumpets, french horns, trombones and tubas. Most had valves.

  Percussion - timpani, bass drum, side drum, cymbals, xylophones, glockenspiels, bells and triangles.
• Piano


  Melodies were the focus of piano pieces (cantabile).

  Lots of virtuosic sections (cadenzas)

  The music had a large range of dynamics and articulation.

  Pianists used pedals.
• Romantic period


  Music was very expressive and dramatic.

  Lots of use of crescendos and diminuendos and different articulation.

  Use of polyphony.

  Use of unbalanced phrases and not many clear cadences.

  Modulations to unrelated keys.

  Use of chromatic chords and some dissonance.
• What was the time period of the Romantic Concerto?

  1820-1900
• What was the primary aim of composers during the Romantic period?

  To express deeper emotions and push the limits of the soloist's virtuosity
• What are the key features of Romantic concertos?

  • Expanded Orchestra: Larger orchestras with new instruments like tuba and piccolo
  • Virtuosic Solo Parts: Emphasis on technical brilliance and emotional expression
  • Programmatic Elements: Influenced by stories or poems, giving a narrative quality
  • Expressive Melodies: Lyrical, expansive melodies
  • Freer Form: Greater flexibility in structure, sometimes breaking away from strict sonata form
• What new instruments were introduced in the expanded orchestras of the Romantic period?

  Tuba and piccolo
• How did Romantic concertos emphasize virtuosic solo parts?

  By focusing on technical brilliance and emotional expression
• What is meant by programmatic elements in Romantic concertos?

  Elements influenced by stories or poems, giving them a narrative quality
• What type of melodies became a hallmark of Romantic concertos?

  Lyrical, expansive melodies
• How did the structure of Romantic concertos differ from earlier forms?

  They exhibited greater flexibility and sometimes broke away from strict sonata form
• Who is known for the Violin Concerto in E minor?

  Felix Mendelssohn
• What is notable about Johannes Brahms' Violin Concerto in D?

  It is challenging and highly expressive
• Which concertos are staples of Romantic virtuosity by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky?

  Piano Concerto No. 1 and Violin Concerto in D major
• What is the significance of Edvard Grieg and Sergei Rachmaninoff in the context of Romantic concertos?

  They are known for piano concertos that push emotional and technical boundaries