Musical Expression of Classicism & Romanticism


The differing means of expressing classicism and romanticism are:


      Classical Expression      Romantic  Expression
 
Limited Volume Changes     Extreme Volume Changes
Steady pace throughout (like a clock) Pace speeds up & slows down (rubato)
Continuous flow of notes Sudden stops & starts / Silences

Minor chords used infrequentlyMinor chords used more frequently
ConsonanceDissonance / Chromaticism
Tonal CertaintyTonal Ambiguity

            A method classical era composers liked to use to emphasize order and logic was to 
            play a phrase and repeat it immediately.  This can be done in several ways...

      1.   Play a phrase (maybe 2 bars long) and then repeat it exactly.   Many times one section (e.g. the 
            strings) would play the first one and another section (e.g. the woodwinds) would play the second 
            as if they were having a conversation.

       2.   Play a phrase and then play its inverse.  For instance, Mozart's Eine Kleine Nachtmusik - the first 
             nine notes move in an upward pattern, the second nine notes move downward in an inverted pattern.

        3.  Play a phrase, repeat that phrase, play a variation of the phrase, and have a fourth pattern that 
              resolves the variation. 



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This is a general classical music website that supports my classical music appreciation courses.   Lake Ashton Classical Music Program - Fa...