Music. Learn, enjoy, appreciate.

What makes a composer ‘great’? Why does the work of some composers still resonate, delighting contemporary audiences?

In this music appreciation course, we will examine biographical details, the historical and social backgrounds, musical styles and great works of eight composers. These include Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Liszt, Wagner, Tchaikovsky, Mahler, and Ravel.

Aims

This course aims to enhance your understanding and appreciation of classical music by introducing you to the lives and music of some of the greatest composers of all time: who they were, what they were trying to achieve, and what makes their music so wonderful.

Outcomes

By the end of this course, you should able to:

• list some great composers of classical music
• list examples of some compositions of great composers and describe their place in the composer’s output
• describe some of the features in the development of classical music.

Content

Bach

• Bach’s place in history and musical style.
• The Baroque Period: historical and social background.
• Bach’s Life: Weimar, Köthen, Leipzig.
• Listening includes: Air on a G String, Brandenburg Concertos, Mass in B Minor.

Mozart

• Mozart’s place in history and musical style.
• The Classical Period: historical and social background.
• Mozart’s Life: the early years, Salzburg, Vienna.
• Listening includes: The Clarinet Concerto, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, The Marriage of Figaro.

Beethoven

• Beethoven’s place in history and musical style.
• The Late Classical Period: historical and social background.
• Beethoven’s Life: the First Period, the Heroic Period, the Last Period.
• Listening includes: The 5th Symphony, Moonlight Sonata, Ode to Joy.

Liszt

• Liszt’s place in history and musical style.
• The Romantic Period: historical and social background.
• Liszt’s Life: Raiding, Vienna, Paris, Switzerland, travelling virtuoso, Weimar, Rome.
• Listening includes: Liebstraume, Hungarian Rhapsodies, Piano Concertos.

Wagner

• Wagner’s place in history and musical style.
• The Romantic Period: historical and social background, opera in Europe.
• Wagner’s Life: the early years, London, Dresden, Switzerland, Bavaria.
• Listening includes: The Flying Dutchman, The Ring Cycle, The Ride of the Valkyries.

Tchaikovsky

• Tchaikovsky’s place in history and musical style.
• The Romantic Period in Russia: historical and social background.
• Tchaikovsky’s Life: the early years, first successes, travelling, the last works.
• Listening includes: The Nutcracker Suite, Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet.

Mahler

• Mahler’s place in history and musical style.
• The Late Romantic Period: historical and social background.
• Mahler’s Life: Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Hamburg, Vienna, New York.
• Listening includes: The Symphony of a Thousand, Songs of a Wayfarer, Das Lied von der Erde.

Ravel

• Ravel’s place in history and musical style.
• The Twentieth Century: historical and social background.
• Ravel’s Life: the early years, the influence of Debussy, service in the war, the post-war years.
• Listening includes: Bolero, The Tomb of Couperin, Piano Concerto for the Left Hand.

Intended audience

Designed for fans of classical music, beginners and experienced listeners alike.

Prerequisites

No prior musical knowledge is required. Those interested in this course may also consider attending the course Music Appreciation: Another Eight Great Composers.

Delivery style

This course is richly illustrated with musical examples, illustrations and video clips. Susan Deas uses the piano to demonstrate musical concepts to the everyday listener. Questions are encouraged, and there will be room for discussion throughout the course.

Materials

Handouts are provided electronically.