National Romanticism in Music - Essay Example

Nationalism occurred in the nineteenth century and there was an interesting integration of Romanticism and Nationalism (Miles, 1985). On the one hand, this weird conglomerate is beyond music, but on the other hand, the glimpses of these two trends concerned music as well as other spheres of human activities. The oppressed nations needed inspiration, but they were looking for a place of sentiments. Nationalism can be interpreted as the leading idea of people’s spirit. A feeling of elevation and progress can be heard in the musical developments of the composers around the world.

Nationalism and Romanticism in Music Gradually, nationalists were transformed into the “citizens of the world”. Nationalism was more aggressive and the oppressed nations wanted to have some changes. The change in music was obvious. After 1860 the leading world’s composers managed to reflect their feelings and emotions, combined them with inspirations of their nations and create musical masterpieces. National music in different countries always reflects peculiarities and specific features of nations.

For example, the Italian composers have been always recognized as opera creators. Puccini is a great opera composer. The greatest oriental motifs of Madam Butterfly, the comedy of Gianni Schicci and the Romance of La Boheme reflect the uniqueness of the composer (Miles, 1985). He composed his operas with the greatest inspiration and he showed his outstanding masterful skills. The period of national Romanticism flourished in Italy, but there were not outstanding talents of this period in England.

The personality of the Baroque composer Henry Purcell can be mentioned as the creator of unique melodies and authentic music.