Key Features of Romantic Music
- Emphasis on Emotion: Romantic music places a strong focus on expressing deep emotions and personal feelings, moving away from the structured forms of the earlier Classical period.
- Expanded Use of Harmony: Composers began to explore new harmonies, utilizing chromaticism and modulations that create tensions and release, enhancing the emotional impact of their music.
- Lyrical Melodies: Romantic music is characterized by its sweeping, lyrical melodies, often influenced by poetry and literature, which convey a sense of longing and passion.
- Programmatic Elements: Many Romantic composers produced programmatic works that aimed to tell a story or evoke a particular scene or emotion, using music to express extra-musical ideas.
- Expanded Form and Structure: Romantic compositions often feature longer and more complex forms, with increased emphasis on individuality and creative expression, straying from the Classical norms.
- Increased Instrumentation: The orchestra expanded during the Romantic period, with composers incorporating new instruments and richer textures, allowing for a wider palette of sound.
- Nationalism: Many Romantic composers drew inspiration from their national folk traditions, incorporating folk themes, rhythms, and instruments to express their identity and heritage.