OPPapers.com

Classical Humanites

Classical Humanites
Part I.

From the early 1800's through 1848-50, the Romantic era becomes the focus of the arts because of its unique characteristics and artists across in its many forms of art. It is expressed more as an attitude than a style; it is unpredictable. It's plays on the feelings and emotions of the artist. "Inexactitude and indeterminacy characterize this world and it can be discovered everywhere in this period" (256). Gone are the forgiving portraits that flattered the sitters, rather to be replaced with more true to life paintings. The images were becoming exotic, expressing death for the first time. Artists ranging from the painter and poet to the musical composer turned to the natural world for inspiration. Some artist began to experiment with drugs to enhance their own perceptions and ideas that influenced their works. Furthermore, during the Romantic era, artists –musicians, painters, and writers - were becoming famous during their lifetimes, making money and enjoying their fame.

Music

Romantic composers wrote music that "expressed individually and innovation, exalted nature, and broke new ground formally, harmonically, and stylistically" (274). Musical instruments were changing and adding to the development of new music and sound. The invention of the pianoforte brought a louder sound that could be played to a larger audience in bigger venues. Woodwind and brass instruments were also improved for better sound. Musicians moved out of churches and small halls to outside arenas. And because of the larger places to play middle class people could afford tickets to events, thereby exposing the music to more people and creating a demand for performance.
Several musicians, including Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1827) and Fredric Chopin (1810-1849) became well known and wealthy during their lifetimes. Both had the opportunity to play for the large audiences, and both wrote music for the pianoforte.
Although Ludwig Van...