Advanced Theory & Practice: French Music, Belle Epoque to 1950

(2 Credits)

This course explores a range of analytical methods and compositional techniques characteristic of French art music from the belle époque to 1950. Topics include French dances and other large forms, rich chords, embellishing chords, the “cadence Fauréenne,” modes and pentatonic collections, and Messiaen’s “additive rhythm” and “modes of limited transposition.” Students gain hands-on practice with techniques for orchestration and transcription and analyze regional and stylistic influences, including those from Spain, Javanese Gamelan, and American blues and ragtime.