After reading about the six historical periods of Western Art music, the period that I found most interesting was the Romantic era. Something that stood out about this period is the way the music intensified and became more passionate. It also became more individualized much like other forms of art during that time period. I found it fascinating how composers and musicians became more inventive and experimental with their music, including new instruments and performance techniques. This was a contrast from the Classical period, in which music was more “universal.” The textbook describes the time period of the Romantic era as one that was encompassed by an increase in nationalism as well as industrialization. With the increase in nationalism, countries began to formulate their own styles of music and included their own cultural or ethnic twists to make it distinct from those of other countries.

The textbook mentioned violinist Niccollo Paganini who was said to have “sold his soul to the devil.” Based on this description of his “uncanny skills” I was inclined to listen to his music. His pieces had many of the characteristics I expected from the Romantic Era. In each of them I was able to hear passion and intensity. His ability to put the notes together to create an emotion out of the listener captivated me as I continued to listen to multiple pieces of his. His skill level alone was amazing.