Stylistic Analysis - Romantic Strings

Romantic Era Music - What makes this stuff Romantic?

Linking back to the Romantic Era Overview Post  you can learn about the "why" behind Romantic Music.

In this post, we look at a video that features in the Extended Techniques of the Romantic Era post and I invite you to follow the written score as you listen to it. 

I have indicated the characteristically Romantic "tricks" that Grieg has used to turn this music from notes and rhythms to an expressive art. The overarching emotional content behind this piece is "melancholy".

Listen first, without the guidance: 

Did you sense the melancholy? Pretty intense, dark piece of music.

Now follow the music in this slideshow. 

There is a key to show you the different categories of compositional and expressive techniques that have been used. Consider these as you listen. There will be more than what I have highlighted, so if you spot any then by all means, add to this. Collect it. It's all unit evidence.

Advanced Highers; you should be doing in depth analyses of pieces for your commentary work in this way. Let this serve as a guide for you. Complete the Essay task.

Romantic Era – String Orchestra by Jenna Watson Hood on Scribd