Revolution and Romance: Musical Masters of the 19th Century

Episode 1

We Can Be Heroes

60 mins

Suzy Klein tells the story of a creative outpouring unrivaled before or since - the 19th century witnessed the emergence of composers such as Beethoven, Schubert, Berlioz, Chopin, Wagner, Verdi and Liszt, just to name a few of the stellar array whose genius we venerate to this day. As the aristocracy weakened following the French Revolution, the industrial revolution created new wealth and the middle classes flourished, Suzy shows how it was possible for composers and performers to become the superstars of their age, no longer the servants of kings and princes. Masters like Paganini and Liszt were idolized, commanded immense fees and had a following as adoring as any of the rock stars and singers of today. Composers tore up the rule books, embraced the spirit of Romanticism and poured out their souls in their bold and experimental work. And, freed from the chains of aristocratic patronage, they became entrepreneurs too, organizing and profiting from their concerts and winning unprecedented wealth, fame and status. But with commercial success came a very modern backlash - artistic credibility versus X Factor-style fame. Which would win out? Or could one coexist with the other? As music gained increasing power and influence as the art form of the 19th century, composers started to believe that they could change the world... and remarkably, they really did.