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In the Classical era (ca. 1750-1827), the course will concentrate on the works of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven. These will be studied in the context of the Age of Enlightenment and the freedom of the composer from the patronage system. |
This course will survey the the main developments in the history of western music from the Classical and Romantic periods and the 20th Century until
1945. Students will study the styles and
forms of music in the context of historical political, philosophical and cultural
ideas. We will always question why a composer composed the way he or she did.
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In the Classical era (ca. 1750-1827), the course will concentrate on the works of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven. These will be studied in the context of the Age of Enlightenment and the freedom of the composer from the patronage system. |
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In the era of Romanticism (the 19th Century) the course will focus on the music of Schubert, Schumann, Chopin, Liszt, Berlioz, Brahms, Verdi, Wagner, nationalistic composers in Russia, and Mahler. In every case, we will search for the manifestation of a romantic ideal in in the musical styles of these individuals. |
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In the 20th Century, we will examine "modern" musical languages in the music of Debussy, Stravinsky, Schoenberg, Webern, and Berg. These will all be examined in the context of the rapid cultural changes at the beginning of the century. We will also address the neoclassical reactions to modernism, particularly in the works of Stravinsky, Bartok, Hindemith, and Les Six in France. |
Although extensive musical training is not required for this course, students should have some knowledge of the fundamentals of music and the ability to follow scores.
For more information, contact Michael
Grace
(719) 389-6546 or mgrace@coloradocollege.edu