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1820-1900
Chopin: Polish “poet of the piano”◦ Shy, rarely gave public recitals, played in intimate
salons◦ Short piano works such as nocturnes, preludes,
mazurkas, études, and polonaises Program Music (as opposed to absolute)
◦ associated with a story or specific idea ◦ no lyrics ◦ commonly represents birds, storms, bells, rivers,
etc.
Hector Berlioz: French composer◦ Known for innovative orchestration◦ Famous for Symphonie fantastique, a program
symphony depicting his love for Harriet Smithson◦ We listened to the March to the Scaffold. Know about
that. Nationalism: Intense devotion and pride for
one’s country◦ Modest Mussorgsky—Russian composer of Pictures at
an Exhibition including “The Great Gate of Kiev”◦ Bedrich Smetana—Czech composer of The Moldau◦ Antonin Dvǒrák—Czech composer who came to
America to direct the National Conservatory in NY, spent summer in Iowa and gained interest in Native American and African-American tunes, wrote New World Symphony
Russian composer (1840-1893) 6 symphonies, 1812 Overture Ballets: Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty,
Nutcracker Famous piano concerto
Austrian (1860-1911) Jewish heritage, converted to Protestantism Famous as a conductor in Europe and NY 9 symphonies
◦ Used chorus in 4 of these (like Beethoven)◦ Symphonies are very monumental in length and
number of performers (one is known as “the Symphony of a Thousand” and is an hour and a half long with a huge orchestra, 8 solo singers, a boys’ choir, and 2 choruses
Many works demonstrate exoticism, a fascination with foreign lands.
Giacomo Puccini: Italian composer of La Bohème and Madame Butterfly (Japan)
Giuseppe Verdi: Italian composer of operas very popular with the public◦ Nabucco—contains a chorus that became a national
liberation hymn during Austrian dominance◦ Rigoletto, Il Travatore, La Traviata (somewhat
scandalous topics)◦ Aïda—about an Egyptian princess
Serious operas often had tragic endings
German composer (1813-1883) Famous for massive operas (musical dramas)
◦ The Ring cycle: a group of 4 long operas based on Nordic legends, very supernatural
◦ He wrote the libretto (text) and the music. He also built a theater (Beyreuth) specifically for his operas and oversaw the rehearsals, costuming, and pretty much anything else.
◦ These had music that resembled speech (Sprechstimme), gave no time for applause after arias, and gave new importance to the orchestra.
Personality◦ Very dark, stormy, and egotistical◦ He was in debt to many people and never repaid them◦ Anti-Semitic