Romanticism was a musical period that spanned from approximately 1825 to 1900 and is characterized by an emphasis on emotion, individuality, and imagination. In this blog, we dive deep into the characteristics of this period, including the influence of social change, nationalism, and technical innovations. Learn how composers used the music to express the emotions of the soul and music history to change forever.

What is Romanticism in Music?

Romanticism in music is a period that was anything but conventional. Where the Classic period (this ended around 1825), characterized by the focus on balance, measure and formal structure, Romanticism breaks with these traditions. Composers of the Romantic period gave music a deeper, more personal meaning by focusing on emotion, expression, and imagination.

The transition from the Classical to the Romantic period was a gradual process. While the Classical music was in many cases tightly structured, with an emphasis on balance and clarity, the music of the Romantic period began to evade these rules. It became more and more personal, more emotional, and more dramatic. Composers used music as a way to share their own inner world with the audience, no longer limiting themselves to strict musical forms or rhythms.

The Romance lasted from around 1825 to 1900 and is characterized by the following main elements: