Virtuosity in the Romantic Period

The Romantic Period altered the way in which music was perceived. Music became an art form in its own right and it no longer needed to be written for purely practical uses. Music was brought to the people and the people prized what was now available to them; thus the public concert was borne, and with it, virtuosity.
The romantic period broke away from the constraints and rules of the classical period - the ideals of balance, proportion and disciplined expression, in favour of more radical kinds of expression, seeking out all that was new, curious and adventurous; cherishing freedom of expression, movement, passion and fantasy.
The tiny piano piece and the brief lyrical song were forms that had little significance during the Classical period, but took on the highest of importance to the romantics.…