What are the primary characteristics of Romantic music?

The primary characteristics of Romantic music are centered around emotion, individual expression, and nationalistic themes. This era, which flourished from the early 19th century to the early 20th century, saw composers drawing inspiration from deep feelings and personal experiences. The Romantic period emphasized the importance of expressing the individual's inner emotional landscape, often leading to innovative compositions that reflected the complexities of the human experience.

Additionally, nationalistic themes became prominent as composers sought to integrate their cultural heritage and folk traditions into their music. This embracing of national identity helped define not only individual pieces but also the music of entire countries during this period. As such, the music of the Romantic era is characterized by heightened expressiveness, lyrical melodies, and a focus on depicting ideas that could resonate with a wide audience on an emotional level.