Improvising and Composing at the 18th-Century Keyboard

Undergraduate

Just about every celebrated composer of the Classical era—CPE Bach, Mozart, Beethoven—was an improviser first and foremost. This course offers a hands-on introduction to the art of keyboard improvisation as it was taught during the long eighteenth century, with a primary focus on two styles: the free fantasia and partimenti . We examine historical sources and test out the exercises they describe, inventing fantasies and sonata forms together. As we develop our keyboard skills, we also compose works in the Classical style and analyze a wide range of scores from the period (and beyond). Our primary goals are to investigate the continuities between the acts of improvisation and composition in the 18th century, and to probe how performance techniques at the instrument—not to mention the peculiar affordances and constraints of pianos, organs, harpsichords, clavichords, and the like—may have shaped theories of thoroughbass, harmony, counterpoint, and form in the common practice era. Prerequisites: an understanding of diatonic harmony equivalent to MUSI 1111 , at minimum. Moderate proficiency in keyboard skills. There are no prerequisite courses/placement exams barring student entry into this course, but it will be difficult for students to keep up if they cannot satisfy points 1 or 2 above. Students who are uncertain about whether their skills are sufficient for enrolling in this course are advised to schedule a meeting with the instructor. MW 9am-10:15am