GERMAN ROMANTICISM: MUSIC AS A KEY TO NATIONAL IDENTITY

Abstract

The aim of this study is to identify the unique features of German music during the Romantic era as a synthetic cultural phenomenon that united philosophical, aesthetic, and national ideas of the 19th century, as well as to analyze its influence on the formation of German identity. Research Methodology. The research applies a comprehensive approach that combines cultural-historical analysis, an interdisciplinary historical-cultural perspective, and analytical tools of musicology. This methodological synthesis made it possible to reveal the deep interconnections between musical language, philosophical ideas, and national identity. Scientific Novelty. The scientific novelty of this research lies in its complex analysis of German musical Romanticism as a multidimensional socio-cultural phenomenon that became a key factor in shaping Germany’s national identity in the 19th century. For the first time, the study emphasizes that in the German cultural context, music acquired autonomy as a universal language of the nation, one that synthesized philosophical thought, folk tradition, aristocratic aesthetics, and religious heritage. Conclusions. German Romantic music became a key phenomenon that organically synthesized philosophical ideas, aesthetic values, and national identity in the 19th century. It reflected the spirit of the era, expressing the priorities of spirituality, freedom, and inner harmony, which opposed the mechanization and materialism of the time, thus shaping the cultural context in which social ideals developed. Music in Germany at that time acquired the status of an autonomous cultural phenomenon, deeply interacting with literature, philosophy, and other forms of art. Thanks to this integration, music became an important element of national self-expression, uniting diverse sociocultural traditions – from aristocratic salons to folk choral practices. Romantic composers such as Franz Schubert, Robert Schumann, and Felix Mendelssohn created through their works a cultural dialogue that contributed to the formation and consolidation of the German ethos. Thus, German Romantic music emerges as a complex cultural phenomenon – a synthesis of philosophy, aesthetics, and national self-awareness, reflecting the worldview of the 19th century and significantly influencing the cultural landscape of Germany and Europe as a whole.