Began with Beethoven and goes up to about 1850. Melodies became more chromatic, music
became more expressive, and descriptive musical forms such as program music and character
pieces began to predominate. Important Early Romantic composers include Frédéric Chopin,
Robert Schumann and Hector Berlioz. Concerts and music became an increasingly prominent
part of public and private life for the burgeoning middle class, and were afforded
more respect and attention than the aristocracy had given in previous eras.
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