A Comprehensive Guide to Music Periods: Romanticism, Classicism, and 20th Century

Romantic Period

1. What is a Symphonic Poem?

A symphonic poem is a symphonic musical form consisting of only one movement.

2. When Was the Romantic Period in Music?

The Romantic period in music occurred in the 19th century.

3. What Are the Characteristics of the Romantic Period?

• Expressive melodies
• More freedom in the structure of melodies
• Introduction of leitmotiv
• Musical contrast creating expressive melodies
• Birth of programme music

4. What Type of Romantic Vocal Music Was Based on Mythology?

German Opera

5. What Were the Main Vocal Forms of the Romantic Period?

• German lied
• Italian opera
• German opera

6. The Romantic Symphony

The Romantic symphony has various movements that are not based on a structural form like the Classical symphonies. Instead, it is developed around an argument, generally like a literary character.

7. What is a Leitmotiv?

A leitmotiv is a melody that appears in certain parts of a musical work and represents a character or a situation.

8. What is Programme Music?

Programme music is symphonic music that has a theme or a literary or artistic programme. The programme explains what will happen in the story and what you will hear in the music.

Classicism

1. What is the Difference Between the Sonata and the Concerto?

The sonata is written for one to two instruments, while the concerto is written for a soloist instrumental and an orchestra.

2. How Were the Melodies in Classical Instrumental Music?

Melodies were clear, more balanced, and less ornamental than in Baroque music.

3. Which Were the Most Representative Instrumental Music Forms During the Classicism?

• Sonata
• Symphony
• Concerto

4. What is a Sonata?

A sonata is a musical composition for one or more solo instruments, made up of three movements of different mood and tempo.

5. What is a Symphony?

A symphony is an elaborate musical composition for a full orchestra, typically in four movements, at least one of which is traditionally in sonata form.

6. What is the Name of the Opera That Was More Aristocratic and Less Known?

Opera seria

7. How Many Movements Does the Sonata Have?

3: Allegro, Adagio, Allegro

8. When Was Classicism?

In the 18th century

9. What is an Alberti Bass?

A kind of broken chord or arpeggiated accompaniment, where the notes of the chord are presented in the order lowest, highest, middle, highest.

20th Century

1. Who Was the Main Composer in Serialism?

Oliver Messiaen

2. What Are the Characteristics of Expressionism?

• Distortion
• Exaggeration
• Fantasy

3. Where Was Impressionism Born?

France

4. By What Way is Represented Humans’ Experience in Expressionism?

In a dramatic way

5. Who Was the Most Important Composer of Aleatoric Music?

Johan Cage

6. What Are the Characteristics of Music in the Twentieth Century?

• Rebellion against harmony
• Release of harmonic functions
• Breaking the chains of traditional harmony

7. What is Serialism?

A movement characterized by a method of music composition in which the elements of sound are strictly organized before composing.

8. Who Are the Most Important Composers of Impressionism?

• Claude Debussy
• Maurice Ravel

9. What is Atonalism?

Using notes and chords in a free way, without rules, breaking the traditional structure in music and introducing dissonance.