Musicology Essay

By Nicholas Luvio

Introduction
The romantic period in music was part of the Romanticism movement of 1780 1910, of
which emphasized the notions of artistry, literary, and intellectuality in reaction to the dull
nature of Industrial Revolution. The music era is characterized through emphasized
emotion, imagination and individuality, of which is explored through scenes, ideas, poems,
nationalism, and stories. A man that emulates this, is the Russian composer Pytor IIyich
Tchaikovsky who composed the piece 1812 Overture, of which acts as exemplar of the
romantic period, with its perfect illustration of technical virtuosity, lyrical melodies, new
instruments, freedom of form, dramatic contrasts, the story of it, and a nationalistic
influence.

Discussion
The romantic period promotes freedom in artistry, which is extremely evident in its
freedom of form and design to be more personal and emotional. Although the most
successful pieces were the Sonatas, many different piece forms emerged such as the waltz,
mazurka, and the polonaise. Pieces that magnified the importance of mood and types of
feeling can be seen in the forms of impromptu, romance, prelude, nocturne, ballade,
intermezzo and the rhapsody.3

Lyrical song-like melodies, as well as many chromatic harmonies and discords dominated
melodies of the era, as they naturally sound beautiful to the ear. This is very obvious in the
1st violin parts in different pieces by romantic era composers such as Felix Mendelssohns
Symphony No. 4 in A major, Op. 90 and in- Johannes Brahms Symphony No. 1 in C-minor,
Op. 68.3 The use of these lyrical melodies are the direct result of the incorporation
programme music, which add a story to increase interest in their works. This is unlike their
classical predecessors of which much of the music was absolute, and meaning was not
predefined.3, 2

The romantic period, also saw the introduction of the big orchestras. This is in result to the
invention of the valve, of which allowed brass instruments to play more notes with control
and power with ease.4 As the music grew to be more expressive, the standard orchestral
palette used by the Classical forefathers, wasnt rich enough to convey the needed colour.
Woodwind instruments such as the piccolo, bass clarinet and contrabassoon, were added in
some pieces to add a warm tone colour for the composers desired expression.6 Also the
percussion section became flooded with many new instruments, that were both tonal,
atonal. This includes the triangle, bells, harps, celestes, different sized drums, and
xylophones. This can be seen in the Tchaikovskys The Nutcracker of which involved the
use of the crystalline celeste, and the dramatic contrast of the bass clarinet.5
Analysis
Pytor IIyich Tchaikovskys piece, 1812 Overture is an exemplar of the romantic periods
characteristics and concepts. The piece was developed from October 12 to November 19,
1880, to illustrate of the Russian Defeat of Napoleons Grand Army at the Battle of Borodino
in 1812.

The texture of the piece emulated the many instruments typically innovative for the time. It
employed a brass, strings, woodwinds, percussion, and cannons. The brass band was
considered to original, as it was not commonly found in an orchestra. In the beginning of the
work, the brass plays a motif, that strongly relates to Russian orthodox folk melody, as seen
below. This motif, creates a common theme, that helps connect transitioning ideas
throughout.5, 6

Figure 1 Brass Band Motif1

The climactic volley of cannon fire is played in unison with the brass and chimes to reflect
the Russian military advances, thus forcing the retreat of the French. Harmony

Throughout the overture, Tchaikovsky explore different textural contrasts, with the
experimentation from 2 accompanying instruments to full orchestral forces, as well as the
melodic differences of homophony and polyphony. Such as during the leading to the
recapitulation, spiral of diminuendo of harmonic homophonic rhythm of the full orchestra is
evident. The use of fortissimo, and ties of the notes create the intense feeling of battle.

Figure 2 Strong homophony diminuendos1

Polyphony occurs consistently throughout the work. Such during the second theme,
particularly at bar 388, as the Russian anthem in played at the same time as the second
theme. The lower brass section and lower woodwinds provide the strong bold filling to the
second theme. The short chromatic staccato quaver notes of the 2nd theme melody
provided by the upper woodwinds and the string. The complex harmonies, aids the imagery
of the heat of battle.

The recapitulation at the end of the work, delivers a climactic victory feeling through the use
of the climactic volley of cannon fire. The use of dramatic contrasting is particularly evident,
with strong difference of a singular violin section, and the full orchestral force with aid of
the cannon volley provides extreme dynamic, which delivers the desired overall sound that
compliments the imagery of an important 1800s battle.

Conclusion
In conclusion, the romantic period provided the introduction of many innovative
characteristics that amplify the notions of emotion, imagination and individuality. Pytor
IIyich Tchaikovskys 1812 Overture, demonstrates the characteristics; perfect illustration of
technical virtuosity, lyrical melodies, new instruments, freedom of form, dramatic contrasts,
the story of it, and a nationalistic influence.

Bibliography
I. 1812 Overture, Op.49 (Tchaikovsky, Pyotr). 1812 Overture, Op.49 (Tchaikovsky,
Pyotr) - IMSLP/Petrucci Music Library: Free Public Domain Sheet Music,
imslp.org/wiki/1812_Overture,_Op.49_(Tchaikovsky,_Pyotr). Accessed 15 Sept.
2017.

II. Laergoth. Tchaikovsky ~ 1812 Overture. YouTube, YouTube, 2 Sept. 2010,

www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cPhCvCWelk. Accessed 13 Sept. 2017.

III. Spencer, Mel. Romantic music: a beginner's guide. Classic FM, 20 Nov. 2012,
www.classicfm.com/discover-music/periods-genres/romantic/romantic-music-
beginners-guide/. Accessed 14 Sept. 2017.

IV. Estrella, Espie. Love, Death and the Supernatural: Moody Music of the Romantic
Period. ThoughtCo, www.thoughtco.com/music-forms-and-composers-2456615.
Accessed 15 Sept. 2017.

V. Romantic Music (1850-1900), www.rpfuller.com/gcse/music/romantic.html.

Accessed 15 Sept. 2017.

VI. ipl2. The Romantic Era. Music History 102, www.ipl.org/div/mushist/rom/.

Accessed 15 Sept. 2017.