Identify a defining feature of romantic-era music.

The defining feature of romantic-era music is indeed the emphasis on expressive emotion and individualism. This period, which spanned roughly from the late 18th century to the early 20th century, saw composers increasingly prioritizing personal expression and emotional depth in their works. Music became a vehicle for conveying intense feelings and exploring the complexities of human experience. Composers such as Beethoven, Chopin, and Tchaikovsky exemplified this trend by infusing their compositions with rich emotional content, innovative melodies, and harmonies that resonated on a deeply personal level.

This focus on individualism was also reflected in the increased importance placed on the composer's unique voice and personal style. Unlike the classical era, which often emphasized strict adherence to traditional forms and structures, romantic-era music embraced a more free-form approach that allowed for greater creativity and experimentation. This shift led to novel techniques and the exploration of themes like nature, love, and the supernatural, all of which contributed to the evocative power of the music from this time.

In contrast, options that emphasize strict adherence to form, utilization of atonality, or focus on traditional scales do not align with the characteristics of romantic music, which were defined by their flexibility and emotional richness rather than