Romantic Period - class notes

 

Romantic Period

 

Non-harmonic tone ---> a note that doesn't fit within the chord (creates melodic tension).

 

Types of non-harmonic tones (NHT):

• Passing note
• Neighbour note / Auxilary tone (upper/lower)
• Escape tone
• Suspension
• Retardation
• Appoggiatura
• Anticipation (a note from the chord which is played before the chord occurs).

 

Romantic Harmony

• Chromatic harmonies, complex chords, freer use of NHTs, chromatic voice leading.
• Augmented triad, augmented 6th, and Neapolitan 6th for expressive colour / distorting sense of tonal centre.
• Long delays in resolving dissonances - heighten effect of yearning and longing.

 

Neapolitan Sixth

• Flattened supertonic chord - often in first inversion
• 'Popularised' by Scarlatti

 

Augmented Sixth

• Italian 6th ---> b6 - 1 - #4
• French 6th ---> b6 - 1 - 2 - #4
• German 6th ---> b6 - 1 - b3 -#4

 

Lied  - German art song. Pastoral/love. Strophic or through-composed. Usually accompanied by piano.

 

 

Nationalism

Attempt to unify a group/nation by creating national identity.

Common language taught across all schools, similar themes across the arts.

Some composers used traditional folk songs for inspiration, novel sounds, 'shunning' international conventions.

 

Exoticism

National features sometimes extended beyond national assertation.

Movement towards the mysterious/exotic