This document discusses different types of instrumental music, including absolute music and programmatic music. Absolute music is purely instrumental and not related to any extra-musical narrative, while programmatic music is inspired by or relates to ideas, images, or narratives outside of music. The Romantic character piece is described as a piano solo work that expresses a single mood or programmatic idea defined by its title. Major composers of character pieces mentioned include Schubert, Schumann, Mendelssohn, and Chopin. The document also provides biographical information about Chopin, Schumann, Liszt, Berlioz and their contributions to programmatic music forms like the symphonic poem.

1. Absolute vs. Programme Music Absolute Music “ Pure” music – instrumental music that operates without reference to an extra-musical narrative or inspiration A musical category that entered aesthetic discourse with the early German Romantic writers of the late-18 th and early-19 th centuries Programme Music As distinct from Absolute Music Music which is related to an extra-musical idea, image, narrative, or structure All music with a text can be considered programmatic In the 19 th century a distinct compositional approach developed around the concept of programmatic instrumental music Ingres Apotheosis of Homer (1824)

2. The Romantic Character Piece Definition according to Grove : “ A piece of music, usually for piano solo, expressing either a single mood (e.g. martial, dream-like, pastoral) or a programmatic idea defined by its title.” Major Composers: Schubert, Schumann, Mendelssohn, Chopin, various later composers Some “Types” of Character Pieces: March Waltz Prelude Ballade Nocturne Scherzo Songs without words and other descriptive works

3. Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849) Polish, but lived mostly in France Composed primarily for piano The man and the music: considered “delicate,” “sensitive” Wrote highly expressive, melodically charged, harmonically adventurous music Notable Works: Nocturnes Mazurkas Polonaises Waltzes, Ballades, Preludes

4. Robert Schumann (1810-1856) German composer, primarily active in Leipzig Also very influential as a writer on music Composed String Quartets, Piano Quintet, Symphonies, Piano Concerto, Songs, Character Pieces Interest in German Romantic literature informed a series of programmatic piano works which were also infused with biographical references Robert and Clara Schumann

5. Franz Liszt (1811-1886) Hungarian pianist and composer Lived variously in Austria, Germany, France After Clara Schumann, most preeminent pianist of early-to-mid-19 th Century Major supporter of other composers Piano music is known for vast technical difficulties Highly experimental harmonic and formal procedures

6. Berlioz and Liszt: The Programme Symphony/ Symphonic Poem/Tone Poem Original conception of Programme Music: Music that is specifically concerned with narrative development – that is, with “telling a story” Representing in sound a specific corresponding image/state At original performances of programmatic works a written narrative was handed out to audience members to guard against an incorrect interpretation of the music Hector Berlioz (1803-1869)