Lisztomania: The Music of Franz Liszt (1811

Classical vs. Romantic Timeline:

c. 1150 - 1400 - Gothic - Romantic

c. 1400 - 1600 - The Renaissance - Classical

c. 1600 - 1700 - Baroque - Romantic

(Shakespeare's sonets and tragedies, the beginnings of opera)

c. 1730 - 1805 - Neoclassical - Classical

(There is a small amount of proto-romantic music in this era from Joseph Haydn and Mozart.)

c. 1805 - 1827 - Beethoven leads the transformation from classical towards the romantic.

(William Blake, Samuel Taylor Colridge, Lord Byron, John Keats. Percy & Mary Schelly)

c. 1830 - 1860 - Early Romantic - Chopin, Listz, Berlioz, Schumann, Mendelssohn

c. 1860 - 1900? - Late Romantic - Brahms, Wagner, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff

Romanticism can be seen as a reaction to the philosophy of the late 28th century neoclassical Age of Enlightenment. The Enlightenment's focus on objective reason, logic, objectivity, science, and creating universal recipes for the amelioration of mankind was seen as "icy rationalism" lacking in passion to many romantics.

For the first time in history, the numerous 19th century romantics will often tie instrumental music to certain poems or other literature in their symphonic poems and other music.

Classical vs. Romantic values

c. 250 Classical Art of Ancient Rome

Major themes in classical architecture are simplicity (a lack of ornateness), strength, and endurance. Greek and Roman columns and arches are common symbols in Neoclassical art and architecture.

Maison Carrée, (Roman temple), Nimes, France, 2 A.D.

Emperor Augustus Caesar (63 B.C. - 14 A.D)

Calm, confident, virtuous leader of his people.

c. 1200 Romantic Art (Gothic)

Characteristics: Emotional, Magical, Mysterious, Fantastical

Gargoyle on Notre Dame cathedral

Simone Martini (c. 1285)

c. 1500 Classical Art (High Renaissance)

A revival of ancient classical values including calmness, confidence, courage, intelligence, civic leadership: