An Outline of The History of Western Music Grout ... - The Reel Score

2: Other works are the symphonic poem Francesca da Rimini, the First Piano
Concerto, the Violin Concerto, and the 1812 Overture
3: also composed for ballet which include Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, and
the Nutcracker
i) Antonìn Dvorák (1841-1904)
1: No. 7 is considered the best
2: No. 9, From the New World is the most familiar
III. Solo, Chamber, and Vocal Music in the 19th Century
A. The Piano
1. the 19th century piano was different from the one in Mozart's day nor was it the same
as the modern piano
a) still did not have a metal frame but was strengthened with metal plates and braces
b) it was 7 octaves and provided with felt hammers
c) it was the quintessential instrument of the salon or living room and created a
demand for music by amateurs & professionals
2. Two distinct schools of piano playing
a) Johann Nepomuk Hummel (1778-1837) - Mozart's pupil, it emphasized clear
textures and fluent technique
b) Beethoven belonged - emphasized full tone, wide dynamic range, orchestral
effects, dramatic execution, and an abundance of technical equipement
c) Both these styles are present in the works of Muzio Clementi (1752-1832) an
influential Italian composer, pianist, teacher, and manufacturer of pianos
d) later in the 19th century several more approaches to piano performance and
composition emerged
1: John Field (1782-1837) - whose nocturnes served as a model for Chopin
2: Adolf von Henselt (1814-1899)
e) Others - Friedrich KIalkbrenner (1785-1849), Henri Herz (1803-1888), Sigismund
Thalberg (1812-1871), Louis Moreau Gottschalk (1829-1869), Valentin Alkan
(1813-1888)
f) "titans of the Piano"
1: Franz Liszt (1811-1886), Anton Rubinstein (1829-1894), Hans von Bülow
(1830-1894), & Karl Tausig (1841-1871)
2: of these, Liszt & Rubinstien left their mark as composers and von Bülow as a
conductor
B. Music for the Piano
1. The 19th century cult of expressive, songful melody presented a challenge to
composers of piano music
2. The resonance and power of the modern piano invited exploration in loud, full chords
with a variety of touch, shadings, and accents
3. Early Romantic Composers
a) Carl Maria von Weber (1786-1826) - a style rhythmic, picturesque, full of contrast,
and technically brilliant
b) the Bohemians
1: a distinctive school of pianists and composers in the early 19th century