Jul 25, 2008
Wagner
We will begin with Wagner’s relationship to German philosophers such as Feuerbach and Schopenauer, then continue with his mature operas. We will also discuss Wagner’s revolutionary harmonies, his visionary conception of opera, his profound influence on other composers, and his career-making relationships with such figures as Liszt, Nietzche, and King Ludwig II. Lastly, we will confront the darker side of Wagner: his scandal-ridden personal life and his infamous anti-semitism. Works studied will include Der Ring des Nibelungen, Parsifal, Lohengrin, Tannhäuser, Tristan und Isolde, and Die Meistersigers von Nürnburg.
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Aesthetics & Ideology in Music
Some musical masterpieces are relevant not only because of their intrinsic musical elements but also because of their iconic cultural significance. Such works illuminate key moments in history—moments when music played an especially important role—from the Reformation through the Soviet Revolution to Nazi Germany.
Some musical masterpieces are relevant not only because of their intrinsic musical elements but also because of their iconic cultural significance. Such works illuminate key moments in history—moments when music played an especially important role—from the Reformation through the Soviet Revolution to Nazi Germany.
Bach and Handel
The exact contemporaries Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frederick Handel (both born in 1685) represent the pinnacle of Baroque art in its most exalted and characteristic phases.
The exact contemporaries Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frederick Handel (both born in 1685) represent the pinnacle of Baroque art in its most exalted and characteristic phases.
Beethoven's Late Period
Beethoven’s oeuvre is conventionally divided into three periods. This course examines the unique characteristics of Beethoven’s final period with its increasingly personal yet loftily philosophical character.
Beethoven’s oeuvre is conventionally divided into three periods. This course examines the unique characteristics of Beethoven’s final period with its increasingly personal yet loftily philosophical character.
Choral and Spiritual Masterworks
Requiems, masses, and cantatas comprise some of the most powerful musical experiences in the Western canon. Through CDs and DVDs, this course will examine such iconic masterworks as the Bach passions, the requiems of Mozart, Berlioz, and Verdi, and cantatas ranging from Bach to Stravinsky.
Requiems, masses, and cantatas comprise some of the most powerful musical experiences in the Western canon. Through CDs and DVDs, this course will examine such iconic masterworks as the Bach passions, the requiems of Mozart, Berlioz, and Verdi, and cantatas ranging from Bach to Stravinsky.
Dvorak and the Rise of Musical Nationalism
Dvořák is an archetypal nationalistic composer. Czech language and culture became a point of ethnic pride during centuries under the German-speaking Hapsburg empire...
Dvořák is an archetypal nationalistic composer. Czech language and culture became a point of ethnic pride during centuries under the German-speaking Hapsburg empire...
