The Romantic Symphony
Alexandra Amati
In The Romantic Symphony, we continue our journey exploring this most important genre through the 19th century. We will examine how the symphony becomes the central place for the evolution of musical language from classical clarity and structure to romantic passion and affect. We will also briefly witness the new paths composers delineate, such as, for example, the programmatic symphony or the tone poem.
Familiarize yourself with the symphony as a genre through its evolution from the classical style and shape to the romantic form. Together we’ll analyze a few representative examples from various composers and types of pieces, briefly touching and examining some of the various different outgrowths and new paths, such as the programmatic symphony and the symphonic (or tone) poem. Add to your tools for better understanding and deeper enjoyment of the romantic symphonic works.
4 Apr. - The Post Beethoven symphony, Romanticism and Beethoven’s legacy. Repertoire: Brahms, Symphony No. 4
11 Apr. - Painting, traveling, and composing music. Religion, Judaism. Repertoire: Mendelssohn, the Italian symphony
18 Apr. - The New German School and program music. Repertoire: Berlioz, Symphonie fantastique
25 Apr. - Cyphers, romantic harmony, the literary critic. Repertoire: Schumann, Symphony No. 4
2 May - Art song meets symphony, the later romantic symphony Repertoire: Mahler’s Symphony No. 2
9 May - Nationalism, Bohemia and the US. Repertoire: Dvorák, Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Opus 95, From the New World
Alexandra Amati, originally from Italy, holds a BA/MA in Slavic Studies and Philology from the University of Pisa (Italy), degrees in piano from the Conservatory of Music of Lucca (Italy), and both an MA and a Ph.D. in Musicology from Harvard University. She is a Professor of Music at the University of San Francisco.
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