By: Linda McLean
By clicking on the sites below you can hear the music, read the featured play, a sample of a painting, fashions and foods featured during the 19th Century Romantic Era.
MUSIC
BALLROOM DANCE
DRAMA
PAINTING
FASHION
FOOD SAMPLES
This music that represents this era does not represent what we think of today as "Love" rather it is often identified by the composer attempting to express him, or a thunderstorm or even a poem. Melody receives the greatest emphasis and is more disjunct with wider ranges; piano pieces were introduced as well as, overtures and symphonic poems. We feature music from the great composers of the 19 Century such as Ludwig van Beethoven and others such as Robert Schumann, Johannes Brahms, Richard Wagner, Jean Sibelius, Samuel Barber and Ralph Vaughan Williams. By clicking on the music link above you can hear music from composers mentioned above and others.
************************************************************The Ballroom received its name by the Latin "balare" meaning "to dance". Balls were important formal social events. The most popular dance of the era is the Viennese Waltz which is danced at a tempo of about 180 beats per minute. The figures of the Waltz are Change Steps, Hesitation, Hovers, Passing Changes, Neutral and Reverse Turns and Contra check. Another very popular dance was "The Landler" which is described as being done like the Waltz but at a slower tempo. In the late 19 Century the "Boston" evolved in American with is another version of the Waltz which features the "dip". During this era ladies and gentlemen were introduced by the hosts or escort.
******************************************************************************************* During the first part of the 19th Century there was a dearth of dramatic literature due in part of the war. The dramatic plays offered about an hour of entertainment. However, by the end of the century drama took a turn due to the younger dramatists in various languages to gripe boldly about the problems of life and do deal honestly with the facts. The Theaters were beginning to attract even the poets. As far as drama in the 19th Century, it dropped its curtain leaving an interrogation between the classicists, who represented social order, and romanticists which was left to glorify a selfish and lawless egotism.
******************************************************** Paintings during the Romanic era was left to the imagination, the mysterious, the weird and the monstrous, as well as the appreciation of nature’s beauties, human personalities and moods. Some of the paintings reflect the rejection of order, harmony and balance.
********************************************************************************* Dresses were the fashion for women. They were made out of muslin, white lawn or batiste, which clung to the body to show off ones figure. There were undergarments that were available for ones that need something extra to help out their figure. White gowns worn in the evenings showed social status while pastel colors were worn during the day because pastel would not show soiling as much as white. In the winter heavier fabrics such as cotton or wool would be used for added warmth.
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Also featuring foods from the Romantic Era. Main Dishes: Pork, Partridges, White Soup, Quiche, Welsh Rarebit and more!
Snacks and Sides: Marmalade, Bath Buns, Black Butter, Gooseberry Cheese, etc.
Beverages: Hot Chocolate and Wassail to Spruce Beer and Tea
Desserts: Cheesecake, trifle, cakes, cookies, puddings and every good thing.
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