Baroque and Classical Music

Readings

• Recordings and some scores for each listening assignment are listed in the Listening and Scores section. Please note each class assignment is supplemented with other works by the same composer or longer excerpts than the one assigned for that day. These are optional and placed under the general heading “Not Assigned but Helpful.” ↗
  Listed reading
• The text for this class is: Richard, Taruskin. Music in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries . Oxford University Press, 2011. ISBN: 9780199842155 [Preview with Google Books ] Assigned readings will be taken from this text. This is one of the most comprehensive books available and written in a challenging but accessible prose. There are also substantial score excerpts in the text which aid in understanding the author’s analysis of the piece. Please bring your book to class meetings! ↗
  Listed reading
• When preparing each assignment, I find starting with the music a more rewarding experience. Therefore, I suggest you start by listening to one of the assigned compositions, then read about the piece, composer, etc . in the text. (Then listen again and again and …!)
  Listed reading
• [Taruskin] = Taruskin, Richard. Music in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries . Oxford University Press, 2011. ISBN: 9780199842155. [Preview with Google Books ] ↗
  Listed reading
• TOPICS: Introduction to Monteverdi: Madrigals and Vocal Music · READINGS: [Taruskin] Chapter 1. pp. 1–18.
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• TOPICS: Monteverdi: Madrigals and Vocal Music (cont.) · READINGS: [Taruskin] Chapter 1. pp. 18–34.
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• TOPICS: Fat Times and Lean: Organ Music, Oratorio, Cantatas · READINGS: [Taruskin] Chapter 2. pp. 35–55.
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• TOPICS: Organ Music, Oratorio, Cantatas (cont.) · READINGS: [Taruskin] Chapter 2. pp. 55–83.
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• TOPICS: Courts Resplendent, Overthrown, Restored · READINGS: [Taruskin] Chapter 3. pp. 85–113.
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• TOPICS: Music for Court and Chamber · READINGS: [Taruskin] Chapter 3. pp. 113–38.
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• TOPICS: Class and Classicism · READINGS: [Taruskin] Chapter 4. pp. 139–59.
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• TOPICS: Class and Classicism (cont.) · READINGS: [Taruskin] Chapter 4. pp. 159–76.
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• TOPICS: The Italian Concerto Style and the Rise of Tonality-Driven Form · READINGS: [Taruskin] Chapter 5. pp. 177–98.
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• TOPICS: The Italian Concerto Style and the Rise of Tonality-Driven Form (cont.) · READINGS: [Taruskin] Chapter 5. pp. 198–231.
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• TOPICS: Class of 1685 Part I · READINGS: [Taruskin] Chapter 6. pp. 233–85.
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• TOPICS: Class of 1685 Part I (cont.) · READINGS: [Taruskin] Chapter 6. pp. 285–303.
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• TOPICS: Class of 1685 Part II · READINGS: [Taruskin] Chapter 7. pp. 305–47.
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• TOPICS: Class of 1685 Part II (cont.) · READINGS: [Taruskin] Chapter 7. pp. 348–97.
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• TOPICS: The Comic Style · READINGS: [Taruskin] Chapter 8. pp. 399–425.
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• TOPICS: The Comic Style (cont.) · READINGS: [Taruskin] Chapter 8. pp. 426–44.
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• TOPICS: Enlightenment and Reform · READINGS: [Taruskin] Chapter 9. pp. 445–62.
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• TOPICS: Enlightenment and Reform (cont.) · READINGS: [Taruskin] Chapter 9. pp. 462–96.
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• TOPICS: Instrumental Music Lift Off · READINGS: [Taruskin] Chapter 10. pp. 497–542.
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• TOPICS: Instrumental Music Lift Off (cont.) · READINGS: [Taruskin] Chapter 10. pp. 542–88.
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• TOPICS: The Composer’s Voice · READINGS: [Taruskin] Chapter 11. pp. 589–613.
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• TOPICS: The Composer’s Voice (cont.) · READINGS: [Taruskin] Chapter 11. pp. 613–39.
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• TOPICS: Listen to this! Informal presentations on any work related to our studies this semester · READINGS: No readings
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• TOPICS: Listen to this! (cont.) · READINGS: No readings
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