The Romantic Symphony Analysis

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Question 3: The Romantic Symphony In this paper you will learn about both Beethoven’s and Berlioz’s history in the Romantic Symphony. Many look upon Beethoven as one of the most creative musicians of all time. He transitioned between Classical and Romantic eras of musical history. Beethoven introduced his new ideas to the symphonic tradition with extensive developmental use of musical material. He used various themes, choruses, motifs, and keys to accomplish a sense of modulation (www.beethoven.ws). For example, when Beethoven wrote the Ninth Symphony, in 1822 to 1824 he made use of a choir. This piece was first performed in Vienna on May 7, 1824 (www.ivbeethoven.com). This symphony was constructed by Beethoven himself, and he added an “Ode …show more content…
The opening stanza and chorus of “Ode to Joy” both welcome the brotherhood of mankind into Elysium (Heaven), of which Joy is the daughter (www.synonym.com). The poetry of “Ode to Joy” gives this sense of Escape from Modern City Life, where the focus is on a legendary, spiritual, and fantasy type of lifestyle. The poem reads “Drunk with fire now we enter… Your magic powers join again…The kiss is for the whole wide world” which shows romantic themes of the supernatural fantasy, and overwhelming emotion. The 4th / final movement of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony is the longest. This movement used the entire orchestra, four vocal soloists, and a choir that sings “Ode to …show more content…
I do believe that it is appropriate but not necessary for instrumental music to communicate an extramusical meaning. I believe it is appropriate because it gives listeners a story to hear, but otherwise not necessary because if there is no extramusical meaning (story), then listeners can have the enjoyment of creating their own stories to the instrumental music of their liking. Instrumental music should not always be simple music, without a storyline about emotions, characters, or other non-musical storylines. It really depends on the listeners tastes, I personally like storytelling instrumentals, but I also like having an option. I don’t always want to listen to plain instrumental music, if there is no meaning behind the music. I prefer an instrumental with a storyline, because I like to see if I can guess what is going on before I read the actual story. The emotion, characters, and storylines, is what makes the music more interesting, gives it a sense of purpose. Other instrumental music lovers might differ in opinion, and prefer simple instrumentals. So I feel that there should be an option of simple and storyline instrumental, and instrumental composers should definitely write both types. In my view the goals of instrumental music should be to communicate emotions, and tell stories. It also depends on the composer’s preference, and other listeners opinions too. Overall I feel that there should be an option,

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