MUSIC REVIEWER FOR GRADE 09
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC OF ROMANTIC PERIOD
A Romantic Period is described as a cultural movement that stressed emotion, imagination, individualism,
and freedom of expression. Most of the musical compositions of this era portray literature, history, emotions, and
nature. Patriotism and Nationalism are two philosophies that also incorporated in the music of the Romantic
Period. This Period showed the world that there should be no social discrimination in music.
Three different types of music use in Romantic Period
1. Violin and String Music (1 composer)
a. Niccolo Paganini
He was born on October 27, 1782 in Genoa, Italy in a family of six children.
5 years old – started with playing the mandolin.
7 years old – transferred his training to the violin.
He became the most famous violin virtuoso in the world.
Some Works of Niccolo Paganini
La Campanella
24 Caprices for Solo Violin, Op. 1
Concerto No. 1 in Eb, Op. 6
15 Quartets for Guitar and Strings Trio
The Carnival of Venice
2. Piano Music (3 composers)
a. Fredric Chopin
He was born on March 01, 1810 in Zelazowa, Poland.
He was known as the “Poet of the Piano”.
4 years old – began to play piano.
7 years old – he composed polonaise.
He studied piano at Warsaw Conservatory under Wilhelm Wurfel and most of his music was influenced by
folk music.
He traveled to Europe giving concerts in places such as Vienna, Munich, Paris, and London.
In 1831, Chopin arrived in Paris and met other legendary composers such as Franz Liszt, Felix
Mendelssohn, and Robert Schumann.
During this time, Chopin met and married the famous French writer George Sand.
Some of his music is characterized by its beautiful tone, rhythmic flexibility, grace, and elegance.
Some Works of Frederic Chopin
Ballade
Etude
Impromptu
Mazurka
Nocturna
Polonaise
Prelude
Scherzo
Sonata
Waltz
b. Franz Liszt
He was born in the village Doborjan, Hungary.
The best word that describes the works of Liszt is “Virtuosity”.
6 years old – his father was his first teacher.
Early twenties – he heard the virtuoso violinist Paganini perform so he decided to dedicate himself in
becoming a virtuoso pianist.
He was also known with his generosity in sharing time and money to the orphans, victims of disasters, and
including music students he taught music for free.
Some Works of Franz Liszt
La Campanella
Liebestraume No.3
Hungarian Rhapsodies
Un Sispiro
Sonata in B Minor
Arrangement of the 9 Beethoven Symphonies
Transcriptions of lieder by Schubert
c. Robert Schumann
He was born in 1810 in Zwickau.
He is one of the famous Romantic composers that beautifully combined music and words and a music critic.
He eventually convinced his family that he should put aside law in favor of a performing career. In 1830, he
effectively ending his dreams as a pianist.
In 1834, he found his music journal called “Jornal Neue Zeitschrift fur Musik”.
Some Works of Robert Schumann
Abegg Variations, Opus 1 (1830)
Carnaval, Opus 9 (1835)
Davidsbundlertanze, Opus 6 (1837)
Phantasiestucke, Opus 12 (1837)
Kinderszenen, Opus Opus 15 (1838)
Kreisleriana, Opus 16 (1838)
3. Program Music (3 composers)
Program music is a musical compositions intended to depict or suggest non-musical incidents, ideas, or
images. Program music is an instrumental composition that conveys images or scenes to tell a short story without
text or lyrics.
a. Hector Berlioz
He is a French Romantic composer born on December 11, 1803.
One of his famous musical compositions is a five movement symphony called “Symphonie Fantastique” or
Fantastic Symphony. This symphony showcased the important features in his composition in creating tone
color.
b. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
He was born on May 7, 1840 in Votkinsk, Russia.
He was known for his ballet music.
He first studied law and became a law clerk in St. Petersburg in his twenties.
As a big fan of Mozart, he studied composition with his friend Anton Rubinstein and moved to Moscow and
started teaching at the new conservatory.
Some Works of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Swan Lake
Sleeping Beauty
The Nutcracker
Romeo and Juliet
1812 Overture
Symphony No. 2
Symphony No. 6 “Pathetique”
Piano Concerto No. 1
c. Camille Saint-Saens
He was born in Paris on October 09, 1835.
He was known as a talented musician from an early age.
2 years old – through the help of his aunt by teaching piano lesson.
3 years old – he began composing piano piece.
Some Works of Camille Saint-Saens
The Swan
Danse Macabre and his Symphony No. 3
Carnivals of the Animals
