# The Bridge from Classical to Romantic [Module 7 YouTube Playlist](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQY0zQBqYyrXqfNXeekDQyZOjI5_E9Ew4) ## Beethoven and the Heroic Period - The notion and image of the genius, as something of a suffering loner (an outsider), came into being alongside Romantic values in art. - Beethoven believed that his gifts empowered and compelled him to serve Art about even the aristocracy. - Studied with Haydn. - Opus number - by the order of publication - _Fidelio Overture_ - Deafness since 28 affected Beethoven's social life and prevented him from attending social events - _Moonlight Sonata_ ## The Heroic Beethoven and Beyond - The three periods of Beethoven - Early Period, 1792-1802 - Heroic Period, 1803-1812 - Late Period, 1813-1827 - 1st Symphony = 1800 - 3rd Symphony "Eroica" = 1803 > [!summary] What is "Revolutionary" about the "Eroica" > > - Opening hammer-strokes > - Triadic themes > - Orchestration > - Foregrounding the brasses > - Length (45 minutes vs. Haydn's 25) > - Slows down presentation of melody, but builds up the volume - 5th Symphony - the fate knocking at the door - Major/Minor/Diminished triad - Beethovenian tsunami > [!summary] What's Exceptional about Symphony No. 5? > > - Doesn't have a nickname! > - "Sucker punch" beginning > - Emphasis on rhythmic motive > - Almost all melodic material derived from a single motive or cell > - Importance of the diminished triad (1st movement) > - Linking movement 3 to movement 4 (by means of a Beethovenian swell) > - Bulking up the orchestra in the Finale > - Emphasizing sound for the sake of sound - Beethoven's Gift to Music: SOUND - Contrabassoon - added bass - Trombones - enriched brasses, first time in symphony - Piccolo - add the top, cuts from the dense texture - The size of orchestra is doubled - Length of the symphony/each motives is doubled - Toward his death, Beethoven has become a "Rock Star" > [!quote] Ars gratia artis. All that is called life shall be sacrificed to > sublime Art, a sacrament of art. -- Ludwig van Beethoven > [!question] How did Beethoven change the course of Western classical music? > > - Added new instruments to orchestra > - Expanded size of the orchestra > - Showed that "sound _per se_" could be beautiful > - Created the "grand gesture" > - Doubled the length of the symphony, quartet, and sonata > - Created the image of the artist as isolated genius who struggles for art > - Fostered the notion of "art for art's sake" ## Romanticism and the Romantic Art Song - The rise of middle-class in 19th century -> _Schubertiade_ - Franz Schubert - Eased out from choir - More than 1000 compositions, including more than 600 art songs - _Lied_ (plural Lieder) = "art song", a song with artistic aspiration, accompanied by a piano - _Erlkonig_ = Elf King - Ballad by Johann von Goethe = a sad story with an unhappy ending - First find the poem, then compose for it - Dramatic expression - Robert and Clara Schumann - Robert was a law student - Clara was Robert's piano teacher's daughter - Robert suffered from bipolar disorder - Song Cycle = a "concept album" - Through Composed = no repetition - Lyric poetry tells about nature and love; Narrative poetry tells about story