From Romanticism Toward Modernism

Abstract

As the nineteenth century progressed, so did a growing infatuation with innovation. Philosophical discussions, national languages and literatures, new technologies, and the pure possibilities of sound were just some of the factors that shaped how composers, performers, and audiences thought about music. Larger-than-life personalities captured the public’s attention, as Russell Sherman discusses in regard to Franz Liszt and Tony Palmer does for Richard Wagner. Legendary performers discuss composers who have had significant influences on their careers: Leif Ove Andsnes on Edvard Grieg, Marureen Forrester on Gustav Mahler, Mark Markham on French Impressionists, Rudolf Firkusny on Leos Janacek, and Gyorgy Sandor on Bela Bartok.