The Romantic era lasted from 1825-1900. It pertained to muis with an imaginative emotional apeal. Romantic era music emphasizes personal feelings and emotions. Composers who wrote during this period watned to express their innermost thoughts and feelings through their music. The Classical composers wrote very structured music. Romantic era composers were more free with their music. Romantic composers began to compose in nationalistic styles as a way to show their patriotism and love of country.

Composers were not only more free musically, they were more free as individuals. Many, though not all, were celebrities, like today's rock stars. Some were quite wealthy. A composer could earn income through the sale of printed copies of his music, or he could tour as a conductor throughout Europe and North America. He could also produce performances of his music or operas, like today's concert promoters. Others were supported by wealthy patrons and a few were supported by thier governments. Music in the Romantic era usually represented something, expressed something, or described something. The orchestra really became the compser's instrument in this era. Orchestras grew in size, and the skill of orchestration became an important part of the composer's craft. Composers began to use the instruments of the orchestra in much the same way that an artist uses colors.

Great conservatories (schools that trained musicians) grew during the Romantic era, and this resulted in many more skilled performers than previous eras. As orchestras employed more skilled performers, composers were able to write music that was more difficult. Ne forms of music developed. The symphonic poem was a fairly long (up to an hour) work for orchestra in one movement. Often a symphonic poem attempted to tell a story or paint a musical picture. Descriptive music like this is called program music. Not all new forms were orchestral. Composers also wrote short piano pieces, and songs for solo voice with piano accompaniment using expressive poems as the song lyrics.