The Romantic era was a time where composers embraced virtuosity and expression. Many composers during the Romantic era tackled themes such as nature, the supernatural and the sublime through ever-expanding forms, taking inspiration from art and literature. Show
Let's take a look at 15 of the best Romantic composers and their works. 1 Clara SchumannClara Schumann was a gifted composer at a time where the profession was highly male-dominated. Her career began as a child prodigy pianist, taught by her father Friedrich Wieck who insisted on spending time teaching her harmony and counterpoint so she could go on to perform her own works. Her talent earnt her a prestigious place at the Society of the Friends of Music in Vienna. Undoubtedly her marriage to Robert Schumann influenced her music. The couple were known for sharing musical ideas with each other, and their close friend Johannes Brahms. Best works:Three Romances for Violin and Piano, 1853
Piano Concerto, 1836
2. Franz SchubertSchubert wrote over 600 songs in total, and was at the forefront of the Romantic Lieder tradition. He is also known for his thrilling orchestral and chamber works. Schubert had a gift for shaping a melody and creating beautiful themes. Best works:Symphony No. 8 ‘Unfinished’, 1822:
Gretchen am Spinnrade, 1814:
3. Richard WagnerWagner was a revolutionary operatic composer. He worked according to his theory that music, poetry and drama are inseparable. He used Leitmotifs throughout his music. Leitmotifs are musical phrases that represent specific characters so listeners can identify physical action in the music. Best works:De Ring de Nibelungen (The Ring Cycle), 1876: Wagner, The Ring Cycle: Ride of the Valkyries
Tristan und Isolde, 1865: Wagner Tristan und Isolde, Prelude
4. Johannes BrahmsBrahms followed the principles of form and counterpoint that were familiar to composers of the Classical era. The spirit of his music is, however, much more Romantic. At times his music is intensely dark, and notoriously difficult to play. Best works:Violin Concerto, 1879: Brahms Violin Concerto, 1st movement
Ein Deutsches Requiem, 1868: Brahms Ein Deutches Requiem, 1st Movement 'Selig Sind'
5. Giacomo PucciniItalian composer Puccini made his mark on opera. His music is effortlessly lyrical, influenced by Wagner and Verdi, and sharing similarities with more contemporary composers such as Debussy and Stravinsky.
Best works:La Bohème, 1895:
Madam Butterfly, 1904: Puccini Madame Butterfly, Un bel di vedremo 6. Hector BerliozBerlioz’s music is often technically difficult. His use of harmony was seen at the time as unconventional. He treated harmony as a tool for expression rather than function. Other stylistic qualities are his use of irregular rhythms and long melodies, while still being clearly influenced by the Classical period. Best works:Symphonie fantastique, 1830: Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique, 4th Movement: 'March to the Scaffold'
Les Nuits d’été, 1834-40: Berlioz, Les nuits d'été, 'Le Spectre de la Rose'
7. Antonin DvořákCzech composer Dvořák was experimental in his early compositions. As his primary job was as a viola player, he did not rely on these works for an income. His style became more Classical as he became influenced by the works of Liszt and Brahms. His music from the mid 1870s has a more nationalistic feel, as heard in his Slavonic Dances.
Best Works:String Quartet in E minor, 1868-1869:
Symphony No. 9 ‘From the New World’, 1892-95: Dvorak Symphony No. 9, 2nd Movement
8. Jean SibeliusWhen studying literature, the Finnish composer discovered Kalevala, a mythological epic about Finland. This influenced his composing as many of his tone poems are inspired by it, including the Lemminkäinen Suite. Sibelius’s music became very popular in Europe, and he received a salary from the government to allow him to live comfortably and keep composing.
Best works:Violin Concerto, 1904: Sibelius Violin Concerto, 1st Movement
Finlandia, 1899: 9. Felix MendelssohnFelix Mendelssohn was the most talented child prodigy of all time. At fifteen his teacher claimed Mendelssohn’s talents were equal to those of Bach, Haydn and Mozart. His music incorporates the elegance and balance of the Classical era, while still evoking the fantasy of the Romantic. Best Works:Piano Concerto No. 1, 1831:
Midsummer Night’s Dream Overture, 1826:
10. Fanny MendelssohnFanny Mendelssohn was the older sister of Felix Mendelssohn. Despite often being overlooked, she composed around 500 brilliant works. As a woman, she was not encouraged to pursue music as a career in the way her brother was, so did not get the same opportunities of travelling and education. Nevertheless, her music contains the complex virtuosity exhibited by her male contemporaries. Her work is light and poised in character. Best works:String Quartet, 1834:
Overture in C:
11. Gustav MahlerMahler is best known for his nine complete symphonies. His contemporaries did not have a high opinion of him, accusing him of being morbid, self-indulgent and derivative. But Mahler is actually a synthesiser of music. He brings together folk music, military marches, waltzes, chorales and Lieder.
Best Works:Symphony No. 2, 1888-94: Mahler Symphony No. 2, 1st Movement Symphony No. 9, 1909: Mahler Symphony No. 9, 4th Movement
12. Pyotr Il’yich TchaikovskyThe Russian composer Tchaikovsky is known for his rich orchestration and tuneful melodies. He was hugely prolific, writing 7 symphonies, 11 operas and 3 ballets. He also wrote concertos and chamber music. We named Tchaikovsky one of the best ballet composers ever Best works:The Nutcracker, 1892: Tchaikovsky The Nutcracker, 'Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy'
Piano Concerto No. 1, 1874-75: Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1, 1st Movement
13. Robert SchumannGerman composer Robert Schumann was known for his piano music, Lieder and orchestral works. Before his marriage, Schumann was mostly seen as a miniaturist composer due to his fondness for writing short piano pieces and songs. Most of his music is inspired by literature and poems. Best works:Piano Quintet in E flat, 1842:
Kreisleriana, 1838:
14. Fryderyk ChopinThe Polish composer Fryderyk Chopin was a virtuoso pianist, child prodigy and master of Romantic composition. Most of his musical output was for piano, writing 59 mazurkas, 27 études, 27 preludes, 21 nocturnes and 20 waltzes. Best works:24 Preludes, Op. 28: Chopin Prelude No 15, 'Raindrop'
Polonaise-Fantaisie, 1846:
15. Giuseppe VerdiVerdi is best known for his 25 celebrated operas, including La Traviata and Falstaff. His career really took off after his first opera, Oberto, which was put on at the La Scala opera house in Milan in 1839. The La Scala opera house offered him a contract to put on three more operas directly after. Best works:La Traviata, 1853: Verdi La Traviata, 'Brindisi' (The Drinking Song)
Requiem, 1874: Verdi Requiem, Dies Irae e Tuba Mirum |