Jul 25, 2008
Revolutionary Romanticism: Berlioz, Chopin, Liszt
The Centenery of Berlioz’ birth in 2003 has spurred a reawakening of interest in this most romantic and ambitious of composers.
His maverick and eccentrically grandiose work, such as “The Trojans”, the Requiem Mass, and “Funeral and Triumphant” symphony will be examined in historical context in light of recent Berlioz scholarship.
Liszt, too, favored the monumental and grandiose in such works as the “Dante” and “Faust” symphonies and Les Preludes, where he attempted a comprehensive view of European culture and philosophy.
No consideration of revolutionary romanticism would be complete without a consideration of Chopin, the most innovative and subtle musician of his time. The class will feature discussion, analysis and readings.
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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...
