Question 1: Describe the typical characteristics of tempo and dynamics found in Romantic music. How do these elements contribute to the emotional expression of the music?

Answer: Romantic music often features expressive, flexible tempos (rubato) and wide dynamic contrasts (from very soft to very loud). These elements heighten emotional intensity and allow performers to convey deep feelings.

Question 2: Identify and explain the use of a common musical form used in Romantic piano compositions, such as a piece by Chopin or Schumann. How does this form support the expressive goals of the composer?

Answer: A common form is the ternary (ABA) form, which provides a clear structure with contrast between sections. It allows the composer to develop expressive ideas and then return to a familiar theme, enhancing emotional impact.

Question 3: Listen to a segment of a Romantic orchestral piece. Describe the use of orchestration and how it contributes to the mood or atmosphere.

Answer: The composer uses rich, layered textures with prominent strings, woodwinds, and brass. The lush harmonies and dynamic shifts create a dramatic or melancholic mood, characteristic of Romantic orchestration.

Question 4: Explain the concept of 'chromaticism' and how Romantic composers employed it to achieve greater emotional expression.

Answer: Chromaticism involves using notes outside the standard scale, creating tension and richness in harmony. Romantic composers used it to evoke complex emotions and deepen expressive content.

Question 5: Sketch a mood or scene inspired by Romantic music. Indicate the types of musical techniques (e.g., slow tempo, minor key, lush harmonies) you might include to express this mood.

Answer: A correct sketch would depict a calm, melancholic scene, perhaps a night landscape. The musical techniques might include a slow tempo, minor key, sustained chords, and expressive dynamics to evoke sadness or introspection.

Question 6: Discuss how the concept of 'programmatic music' is reflected in Romantic compositions. Provide an example of how a composer might depict a story or scene musically.

Answer: Programmatic music tells a story or depicts scenes through musical motifs and themes. For example, Berlioz’s 'Symphonie Fantastique' uses specific melodies to represent characters and events, creating a narrative without words.

Question 7: Identify the role of the solo instrument (e.g., piano, violin) in Romantic music and how composers used it to express individual emotion.

Answer: Solo instruments in Romantic music often serve as expressive voices, capable of nuanced dynamics and vibrato. Composers used them to convey personal feelings and create intimate, emotional performances.

Question 8: Compare the use of harmony in Romantic music with that of the Classical period. What new harmonic techniques became prominent?

Answer: Romantic harmony is more chromatic and expressive, with frequent use of dissonance, extended chords, and modulations. These techniques create greater emotional depth compared to the more restrained harmony of the Classical period.

Question 9: List three key composers of the Romantic era and identify one characteristic work from each.

Answer: Frédéric Chopin – 'Nocturnes', known for their lyrical melodies; Johannes Brahms – 'Symphony No.1', characterized by rich harmony; Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky – '1812 Overture', notable for its dramatic orchestration and emotional power.

Question 10: Explain how the use of rubato enhances the expressive quality of Romantic music. Provide an example scenario of how a performer might use rubato.

Answer: Rubato involves flexible timing, allowing performers to slightly speed up or slow down parts of the music for emotional effect. For example, a pianist might delay a note to emphasize its emotional weight before returning to the strict tempo.