The Romantic Concerto

The Romantic Concerto

Definition and Features of the Romantic Concerto

• The Romantic concerto is a large-scale work for orchestra and solo instrument.
• It usually follows a three-movement structure: fast-slow-fast. The opening movement often follows the sonata form.
• Contrast between the intense emotions and dramatic narratives in the music is characteristic.
• It was in this period that the role of the soloist became particularly dominant, often with bravura passages designed to display their virtuosity.

Development of the Romantic Concerto

• The Romantic concerto developed from Classical concerto forms but became larger in scale and more emotional in expression.
• The form allowed composers to explore the potential of different instruments, with concertos being written for piano, violin, cello and others.
• It was an era of great technical advancement for orchestral instruments, which gave composers increased flexibility and range.

Famous Romantic Concerto Composers

• Chopin, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Brahms and Tchaikovsky are some of the most well-known composers of Romantic concertos.
• It was during this period that the first important concertos for wind and brass instruments began to appear, for example the Horn Concertos by Richard Strauss.

Impact on Later Music

• The Romantic Concerto had a major influence on the development of the modern concerto.
• Composers such as Sergei Rachmaninoff and Edward Elgar in the 20th century continued to use the romantic concerto as a model, albeit with some modifications.