Question

Let's compare two examples representing Romantic symphonies: one from the early part of the era and the other from the last decades of the nineteenth century. Which symphony represents the late Romantic era?

1) Brahms: Symphony No. 4, IV (late Romantic era c. 1885)
2) Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4, IV (Italian) (early Romantic era c. 1830)

Answer 1

Johannes Brahms's Symphony No. 4, composed around 1885, represents the late Romantic era, characterized by complex emotional expressions and advanced harmonic structures. Felix Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 4, 'Italian,' composed around 1830, exemplifies the early Romantic era with its blend of Classical structures and Romantic expressiveness.

Step-by-step explanation:

The symphony that represents the late Romantic era is Johannes Brahms's Symphony No. 4 in E minor, composed around 1885. Brahms was part of a group of composers who, despite the burgeoning changes in music, retained a connection to the Classical roots, blending it with the evolving romantic ideals. This late Romantic symphony showcases complex emotional expressions and advanced harmonic structures indicative of the era's mature phase. On the other hand, Felix Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 4, known as the 'Italian,' composed around 1830, exemplifies the early Romantic era. Mendelssohn's work still adheres more closely to the Classical structures but is infused with the Romantic era's spirit of individualism and expressiveness.