John Gibbons holds a Ph.D. in music composition from the University of Chicago. He teaches music appreciation classes at the Universality of Chicago’s Graham School and at Newberry Library. He also offers private piano lessons in the Chicago area.
Bonnie Gibbons is a web site developer and SEO with a background in classical music. She might be persuaded to teach a few cello lessons in the Chicago area.
Sat 10:00 am—04:00 pm, March 30, 2024
Deadline to register online: Wednesday, March 27 at 5:00 PM CT
Location: IN PERSON at University of Chicago Gleacher Center
This course is a survey of some of the great and notorious pianists of both before and after the invention of recording technologies. The course will feature simultaneous simulations of historical styles of the piano, as well as an examination of the recorded legacy of pianism and discussion of the essential elements that compose the art and technical craft of piano performance. Participants of the course may expect to acquire an overview of keyboard history, as well as an enriched appreciation of the fascinating world of the piano and its champions. Syllabus
Tuesdays 10:00 am—12:30 pm, March 19-May 7, 2024
Deadline to register online: Friday, March 15 at 5PM CT
Location: IN PERSON at the University of Chicago Gleacher Center
Pioneering a style of unparalleled versatility and expressiveness, Haydn, Mozart, and the early Beethoven created a musical repertory of elegance, wit, optimism, and logic that remains the benchmark of Western musical culture to this day. This class discusses the evolution and achievements of such genres as the Haydn symphonies and quartets, the Mozart concertos and operas, and the early Beethoven instrumental works in historical, social, and musical contexts. Syllabus
Thursdays 10:00 am—12:30 pm, March 21-May 9th, 2024
Deadline to register online: Friday, March 15 at 5PM CT
Location: ONLINE
Impressionism, Expressionism, Folklorism, Primitivism...the first decades of the 20th century offers an extraordinary array of fascinating styles. With Debussy, Stravinsky and the Ballets Russes, Mahler, Korngold, and the Second Viennese School, and figures such as Falla and Bartok, this astounding era is examined via the rival musical capitols of this aesthetically tumultuous time. Syllabus
Please call 773-702-7249 to register. If space is available, you’ll be able to sign up!
For up-to-date Education Guidance including vaccine requirements and masking requirements, please visit goforward.uchicago.edu/education-planning/.
Audio: John Gibbons reveals (and defends) the operas to be covered in his next Graham School course, and discusses some of the works he cosidered, but didn't make the cut. 10-minute audio file.
“On December 22, 1808, Beethoven himself rented a hall in Vienna and promoted the concert to end all concerts: the debut, over four hours, of three of his greatest works .. And yes, it was a fiasco. But imagine: It was as if Orson Welles premiered Citizen Kane, The Magnificent Ambersons, and Touch of Evil on the same night — with The Lady from Shanghai thrown in for good measure.” (Greg Mitchell)
A delightful development in the world of opera video has occurred. Two (!) versions of Paul Hindemith’s 1926 opus Cardillac have recently appeared. I make the assumption that even serious opera fans may not be acquainted with this fascinating piece, except in Germany.