Baroque and Classical Music
MUSC 242
Spring 2011
| Section:
01
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This course is a survey of Western art music from the baroque and classical periods, circa 1600-1800. This is a remarkable time in the history of Western music. Composers around 1600 suggested for the first time that the "rules" of musical composition be overthrown to express the meaning of the words. It is a time of transition and experimentation, inspired by Greek writings (musical humanism) and the idea of the power of music. Gradually, the modal system of the Renaissance gave way to modern tonality, and composers began to work with chords, related to each other within the gravitational topography of a key. The culmination of the baroque and beginning of the classical periods (1720-1750) marks another period of transition. On the one hand, music connects deeply with both religious and personal expression in the works of J. S. Bach. On the other hand, new Italian composers favored simpler and more "natural" melodies. Battle lines are drawn in the French press, and the "enlightened" Prussian despot Frederick the Great puts Bach through his paces. Out of all this a new style emerges, one that forms musical structure as drama. Haydn (a Hungarian court composer, then British star) and Mozart (a child prodigy and then one of the early musical freelancers) hit the scene. In the last decade of the 18th century, Beethoven arrives in Vienna, outduels all other pianists with his passionate improvisations, and we arrive at the cusp of musical Romanticism. |
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Essential Capabilities:
Interpretation, Writing |
| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
HA MUSC |
| Course Format: Lecture | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (MUSC) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
James R. Gaines, Evening in the Palace of Reason. Schulenberg, David, MUSIC OF THE BAROQUE, text and anthology
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Examinations and Assignments:
Listening quizzes, two short papers, a midterm and final exam. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
Required: MUSC 103 or equivalent background. This course is suitable for both majors and non majors. |
| Instructor(s): Malin,Yonatan Times: ..T.R.. 01:10PM-02:30PM; Location: MST301; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 30 | | SR major: 10 | JR major: 10 | | |
| Seats Available: 15 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 0 | JR non-major: 0 | SO: 10 | FR: 0 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 0 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
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