The Industrial Revolution was a time of making improvements, and was a "complete and radical change." Primarily, the Industrial Revolution was about replacing hand tools with machinery. But there was another, smaller revolution alongside this Industrial Revolution.For many years, a period of music known as the Classical era thrived, featuring famous composers such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Joseph Haydn. From symphonies to solo concertos for stringed instruments, these prolific prodigies eventually became some of the most recognized composers in the classical music world. But during the start of the 19th century, compositions started displaying more emotions and expressiveness. With these new additions to music, the Romantic era had begun. The Romantic era brought forward many widely known composers who continue to have their masterpieces played all over the world.
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| A portrait of Mozart composing music |
Recently on the cello, I played a piece by Frederic Chopin (1810-1849) that contained many characteristics from the Romantic era. These characteristics included more lyrical melodies, wider contrasts of dynamics, technically virtuosic passages, and more freedom in the structure of the music. Pieces can really reflect on the composer's generation, but, after they pass away, they are not present to tell the story of the music. It, therefore, becomes the performer's job to portray a story, be it the story that the composer imagined while writing the work, or a story far from that of the composer. The important thing is to convince the audience of moods and characters, which is similar to convincing the audience in theatrical plays.
These two revolutions were important, transformational events that helped shape the modern world.
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| Frederic Chopin |
Here is a recording of cellist Yo-Yo Ma, and pianist Emanuel Ax playing a piece by Frederic Chopin:
Yo-Yo Ma and Emanuel Ax- Chopin Polonaise Brillante in C Maj.
Thank you to the following sources:
Industrial Revolution Image Source
Frederic Chopin Image Source
http://www.gramophone.co.uk/feature/top-10-romantic-composers
http://www.rpfuller.com/gcse/music/romantic.html
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