The Late Romantic period saw a growing strain of nationalism among certain composers.
For instance, the Russian Five, including Modest Mussorgsky, saw themselves as breaking
free from Western European hegemony and forging a distinctly Russian style. Other
composers such as Jean Sibelius of Finland and Frédéric Chopin of Poland incorporated
nationalist elements into their music as a reaction against Russian dominance of their
respective homelands. In all areas of Europe, incorporation of old folk tunes in compositions
became a significant way of emphasizing national themes.
|