The term “Romantic” has a different meaning from the usual understanding of it when we talk about music history. Listen to the fourth movement of Hector Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique and Edvard Grieg’s In the Hall of the Mountain King.* ( you can find them on YouTube)
What Makes It Romantic?
What is Romantic (with a capital R) about these two pieces?
How does the composers’ use of the (Romantic) orchestra support the meaning of the music?
Two pivotal works that were important in helping define modern music were Claude Debussy’s Prelude to The Afternoon of a Faun and Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring. Listen to both pieces.* ( you can find them on YouTube)
What Makes It Modern?
These two pieces certainly have contrasting sounds. What are some of the qualities of Debussy’s and Stravinsky’s music that still sound “modern” to our ears? Or do they still sound “modern”?
Sample Solution
