VictB-Visual+Art+and+Music

=Music in the Victorian Era= In the Victorian Era, a general increase in wealth resulted in more time being spent for leisurely purposes such as music. This is not to say that only the rich enjoyed music during this era. Music became an appealing form of entertainment for all during this era. Victorian music's format followed the traditional balance between vocals and instruments in pieces. In concerts, it was generally accepted that the performers would alternate between genres. This idea was fueled by the idea of virtuosity in contrast that arose during this era. The idea is found in the majority of compositions made during this time. Also, numerous parts (generally up to four separate parts) were used to further the idea of contrast.

Major Genres of the Victorian Era
Brass bands were very popular during the Victorian Era. Their lively music evolved as a result of industrialization and their rising popularity among workers. Brass bands consisted of strictly brass instruments and percussion. The music served to create a feeling of unity among workers.

The Romantic style of music also emerged during this period, with Ludwig Van Beethoven at the head of this movement. Music began focusing more on emotions and using complex harmonies to create beautiful melodies. Significant composers include Franz Liszt, Frederic Chopin, and Richard Wagner among

Percy Grainger-
George Percy Grainger, better known by his stage name Percy Aldrige Grainger, was an Australian born musician who composed piano music during the Victorian Era. However, he did write some ensemble music. Granger is well known for popular folk music melodies and incorporating them into his own music. Irish Tune from County Derry is an example of this, using ancient English folk music as the melody. His use of intricate harmonies supports the idea of contrast promoting virtuosity characteristic of the Victorian Era.

[|Irish Tune From County Derry]

Arthur Lloyd-
During the Victorian Era, [|Music Hall] became a popular venue for music and entertainment. [|Arthur Lloyd] was the first successful songwriter for Music Halls. He wrote over 180 songs, and performed for royalty at the height of his career.

Sir Edward Elgar-[|Enigma Variations]
[|Sir Edward Elgar] was born as the fourth of seven children in a small English Town. He is considered as some to be Britain's "Shakespeare of music." He became a very influential musical figure during this era, and is still acclaimed as one of the greatest composers today. The piece Enigma Variations was Elgar's first major orchestral piece. His use of the popular "theme and variations" form reasserted the popular idea of contrast in musical virtuosity.

=Art in the Victorian Era= The wealth that so heavily influenced the music in the Victorian Era also had an effect on visual art. The Victorian painters used intense colors, vivid detail, and generally elaborate scenes to set themselves apart from the previous paintings of Britain. The Victorian art evolution was split over many periods. The most notable of these are the Pre-Raphaelite Movement, the Classicism movement, the Neoclassicism movement, the Romanticism period, the Impressionism movement, and the Post-Impressionism movement. A common theme found throughout each of these movements is a sort of "moral" present in the majority of the paintings. Symbolism was used extensively throughout this era, and sculpture and paintings alike stressed detail and realism.

Pre-Raphaelite Movement
This movement arose from the [|Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood], and it was here that realism began to be stressed in paintings. In accordance to the name, this art uses many of the elements found in Raphael's own paintings. Dominant artists include William Hunt and Dante Rossetti among others. The stark clarity and vibrant colors make this painting characteristic of the Victorian Era.

Classicism/Neoclassicism
This period adhered to much of the Greek/Roman art standards. Mythology was a commonly used theme throughout this movement, but much more detail was used than in Greek or Roman times.This detail arose from the Victorian Era's stress on detail in art. Notable artists include [|Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema], [|Frederick Lord Leighton], and [|Sir Edward John Poynter]. The clarity and colors are what define this painting as Victorian.

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Romanticism
Romanticism served to revolt against the previous structure found in Classicism/Neoclassicism. Emotion became the theme of art, rather than concrete objects. Symbolism in paintings became evident during this movement. Major artists included [|William Blake], John Constable, and Joseph Mallard William Turner. At this point in time, the principles of the Victorian Era in art began to change. Experimentalism in brush strokes and subjects was used.

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Impressionism
Impressionism, one of the more well known forms of art emerging during this time period, was another revolt against structure. Light became significant to the paintings in this era, as well as symbolism. Experimental brush techniques were used as well. Well known artists of this time period include [|Claude Monet] and [|Pierre Renoir]. These two worked together to paint scenes of Paris. The use of a variety of colors, as well as experimental techniques make this painting

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Post Impressionism
Post impressionism was loosely based off of impressionism, but extended the idea of experimental brush techniques. Subjects for these paintings became more abstract, and symbolism began to play a more important role. Notable artists of this period include [|Winslow Homer], [|Vincent Van Gogh], and [|Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec]

Ankur S.