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21M.271

Symphony and Concerto

3-0-9 units. HASS-A · Undergraduate

Explores the style, form, and history of approximately two dozen pieces of canonical symphonic repertoire. Students write short reviews of musicological articles on the rich cultural history of selected works and complete one project about classical music in contemporary society. Basic score-reading ability required.

Spring 2007

This course is a survey of significant orchestral masterworks composed during three centuries. Listening assignments include 34 symphonies and 24 concertos, composed from the 1720s to the 1990s. Class discussion and oral presentations focus on the works in 18 miniature scores; prior score-reading experience is helpful. Each of the three written papers reviews a concert attended during the term. Since this is a participatory subject, each student will give oral presentations concerning composers and their symphonies and/or concertos.

Readings

  • [MSC] Steinberg, Michael. The Concerto . New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 1998. ISBN: 9780195103304.
    Listed reading
  • [MSS] ———. The Symphony . New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 1995. ISBN: 9780195061772.
    Listed reading
  • [PS] Stedman, Preston. The Symphony . 2nd ed. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1992. ISBN: 9780138800550.
    Listed reading
  • [LC] Cuyler, Louise. The Symphony . 2nd ed. Warren, MI: Harmonie Park Press, 1995. ISBN: 9780899900728.
    Listed reading
  • [MR] Roeder, Michael. A History of the Concerto . Portland, OR: Amadeus Press, 1994. ISBN: 9780931340611.
    Listed reading
  • [DT] Tovey, Donald. Essays in Musical Analysis. Vols. I-IV and VI. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 1935.
    Listed reading
  • Baroque structure in orchestral concertos by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) before age 36 and Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971) at 56
    Listed reading
  • Bach, J. S. Brandenburg Concerto #3 in G, concerto grosso for 3 violins, 3 violas, 3 violoncellos, double bass and harpsichord, BWV 1048 (Cöthen, Bach before 1721)
    Listed reading
  • Bach, J. S. Brandenburg Concerto #2 in F, BWV 1047 (Cöthen, Bach before 1721)
    Listed reading
  • [DT] Tovey, Donald. Essays in Musical Analysis . Vols. I-IV and VI. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 1935.
    Listed reading

Prerequisites & course information

Prereq: None U (Fall) 3-0-9 units. HASS-A

Sources