Aguado and others represent the transition from classical music. For me, Mertz and Coste are the romantics. Tarrega is more of a late romantic or modernist. However, he follows in the tradition of the Spanish and South Americans, who have their own style.
The Romantic period in music (approx. 1830–1900) placed subjective feeling and longing at the center of artistic creation. Musicians sought intimate forms of expression and an expansion of tonal color.
- Subjectivity: Music became a medium for expressing the innermost states of the soul.
- Expanded Harmonics: The use of chromaticism and unexpected modulations increased emotional tension.
- Timbre: Interest in specific instrumental sounds and subtle nuances grew significantly.
The Structural Perfection: Antonio de Torres
In the mid-19th century, the guitar was at risk of losing ground to the powerful piano and large orchestras. The Spanish luthier Antonio de Torres revolutionized its construction, creating the “guitar of the future.”
The Torres Reforms
- Enlargement of the Body: Torres built larger instruments, which significantly increased volume and bass resonance.
- Fan Bracing: By arranging the wooden braces under the soundboard in a fan-like pattern, he was able to make the top thinner and more responsive to vibrations.
- Standardization: He established a scale length of approximately 650 mm, which remains the standard for classical guitars today.
- Tonal Result: The guitar gained greater projection and a darker, more “Romantic” timbre.
Composers and Virtuosos of the Romantic Era
While the early Romantic period was still influenced by the heirs of Classicism, a specifically Spanish school emerged toward the end of the century.
Francisco Tárrega: Creator of Modern Technique
Tárrega is considered the most important pioneer of modern guitar playing.
- New Techniques: He systematized the use of the ring finger and the positioning of the instrument (introducing the footstool).
- Poetic Miniatures: His compositions (such as Recuerdos de la Alhambra) utilize tremolo techniques and complex position shifts to fully exploit the tonal possibilities of the Torres guitar.
- Transcriptions: He adapted works by Bach, Beethoven, and Chopin to elevate the prestige of the guitar.
Johann Kaspar Mertz and Napoléon Coste
In Central Europe and France, Mertz and Coste developed a high-Romantic musical language. Mertz was heavily influenced by the piano styles of Liszt and Schumann, resulting in highly virtuoso and harmonically bold compositions.
The Guitar as a “Miniature Orchestra”
Berlioz once famously described the guitar as a “small orchestra.” In the Romantic era, this character was reinforced by several factors:
- Intimacy: Despite its structural enlargement, the guitar remained the instrument of choice for private nocturnal serenades and poetic gatherings.
- Nationalism: Particularly in Spain, the guitar became a symbol of national identity, merging sophisticated classical music with folkloric elements.
Tablature in Guitar Pro file format: