The Classical ear held the stage in European art in the last half of the eighteenth century and the early decades of the nineteenth. The Romantic era grew out of the social and political upheavals that followed the French Revolution and came into full bloom in the second quarter of the nineteenth century.
The French Revolution signaled the transfer of power from a hereditary landholding aristocracy to the middle class, which was firmly rooted in urban commerce and industry. The new society was based upon free enterprise and emphasized the individual as never before. The slogan of the French Revolution, "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity" inspired hopes and visions which all artists responded to with zeal.
Thus, the ideals of the early Romantic period were sympathy for the oppressed, interest in simple folk and in children, faith in humankind and its destiny. The focus was upon emotions and longing and discontent in the conditions of humankind. All of these ideals formed part of the increasingly democratic character of the Romantic period.
Not only were musicians creating different music, but also writers and artists were rebelling against the conventional concerns of their Classical predecessors. One such writer was Heinrich Heine. He became a favorite poet of several Romantic composers.
Romanticism dominated the entire artistic output of the nineteenth century. It created a multitude of colorful works that still hold millions in awe.
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