Forms of Music During the Nineteenth Century

Forms of Music During the Nineteenth Century

There were three major forms of music in the 19th century; Chamber and Piano music, Symphony, and Program music.

Chamber Music: Chamber music is a work that was written to be preformed by a small ensemble, usually one to five musicians, and is well suited to be preformed in mid-size rooms or chambers. Quintets became very popular in string and wind instruments during the time period. The piano also gained popularity, and became a common featured instrument in these ensembles. The piano quickly became a symbol of gentility.

Symphony: The structure of a symphony was well established by the aforementioned composers and remain largely unchanged. It originated in the Classical period of music. For a piece to be considered a symphony, it has to consist of four movement:

1. Sonata Form
2. Slow and lyrical
3. Minuet
4. Allergo

Beethoven is the well know master of the symphonic form and his nine symphonies have influenced all symphonies written since his time.

Program Music: Some composers including Hector Berlioz took and transformed the symphony into another direction. They wrote pieces that resembled a symphony but was driven by a story punctuated by an idée fixe. This idea of a narrative driven symphony was taken further by Bedrich Smetana and Franz Liszt with the Symphonic or Tone Poem. This form totally abandoned the four movement structure of the symphony merging all the sections into one. Smetana's Ma Vlast consists of different sections that are inspired by several areas of his home country, Czechoslovakia.

"19th Century Music History: Styles & Forms, Instrumental." Web. 03 Jan. 2010. .

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