Nationalism had a significant impact on the way music was composed in the Romantic era. Prior to the Romantic era, music was largely dominated by the classical tradition, which emphasized formal structure and balance. Romantic composers, however, were more interested in expressing their emotions and individuality. They drew inspiration from their own national cultures, and they incorporated folk melodies and other nationalistic elements into their music.
The use of nationalistic elements in music helped to create a sense of national identity and pride. It also helped to distinguish the music of different countries from one another. As a result, the Romantic era saw the emergence of many new national schools of music.
Some of the most famous examples of nationalist music from the Romantic era include:
* The symphonies of Antonín Dvořák, which draw on Czech folk music
* The operas of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, which feature Russian folk melodies
* The songs of Frédéric Chopin, which are based on Polish folk songs
Nationalism was a major force in the development of music in the Romantic era. It helped to create a more diverse and expressive musical landscape, and it laid the foundation for the development of national schools of music that continue to thrive today.