What is the main characteristic of music from the Romantic period?

The main characteristic of music from the Romantic period is the emphasis on individual expression. This era, which spanned from the early 19th century to the early 20th century, is characterized by composers seeking to convey deep emotions and personal sentiments through their music. They often drew inspiration from literature, nature, and their own experiences, leading to works that were rich in emotional intensity and often dramatic.

Romantic composers favored themes of love, nature, death, and the supernatural, and they employed a variety of musical techniques to express these themes. The use of expanded harmonic language, innovative orchestration, and more complex forms also served to heighten emotional expression. Composers such as Chopin, Liszt, and Tchaikovsky exemplified this focus on individualism and personal feeling, often creating music that reflected their inner lives and philosophies.

In contrast, while there were indeed structural innovations during the Romantic period, particularly in terms of form and orchestration, these innovations were often used as tools to further enhance individual expression rather than standing as a solitary characteristic. The use of electronic instruments is not relevant to the Romantic period, as this technology emerged much later, while improvisation played a more significant role in earlier musical traditions and genres, such as