What is nationalism in classical music?

Answer 1

For example, it is using some traditional/national motifs in compositions. Chopin, for example, composed a lot of mazurkas and used several hints of Polish folk music in his compositions.

Answer 2

Nationalism in music began in the 19th century, particularly in areas which were subjected to the Austro-Hungarian and Russian Empires. It was a way of establishing a national identity. So we have Chopin in Poland who used traditional dance forms - the mazurka, the polonaise. In Bohemia (Czechoslovakia etc.) there was Smetana, who used dance forms and wrote about his country - the set of tone poems called 'My Vlast' or 'my country'. he also wrote operas on national themes - Libuse for example, and about popular culture - The Bartered Bride. He was followed by Dvorak who again used dance forms - his set of Slavonic Dances, Dumky piano trio etc. There were nationalists in Russia who wrote about national themes again. Rimsky-Korsakov wrote operas based on folk tales - The Legend of the Invisible City of Kitezh is an example. Borodin (Prince Igor) and Mussorsky (Boris Godunov) are others. Nationalism spread to England and Scotland (Vaughan-Williams, Hamish MacCunn) and even to America. In some ways Copland could be regarded as a nationalist with pieces like Appalacian Spring