| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
TBD
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Examinations and Assignments:
2-3 short papers; final paper/project |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
Topic: Spirituality, theatricality, and visuality in Tan Dun's operas and music for martial arts films
This course takes a close look at intersections of film music, opera, world music, experimental music, and Western art music. It explores the entanglement of spirituality, theatricality, and visuality in sound and music through learning about how Chinese artists have been searching for new aesthetics, new expressions, and new world market in the 21st century, especially that of one composer's creative path and distinguished global career often entangled with orientalism, eroticism, and China's historical and cultural symbols.
Tan Dun (1957-) is the most well-known and most controversial contemporary Chinese/Chinese American composer. His career spans from Asia to North America, Europe, and Australia. In this seminar, we will study Tan Dun's five operas including "Nine Songs," "Marco Polo," "Peony Pavilion," "Tea," and "The First Emperor" (commissioned by the Met), and his music for three martial arts films of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" (won him an Oscar), "Hero," and "The Banquet." Focusing on the aspects of spirituality, theatricality, and visuality, the class will examine various roots and sources of Tan Dun's music, the impact of the "global flow" of the cultures, ideas, and resources, and the controversies in and surround his works.
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| Instructor(s): Zheng,Su Times: ..T.R.. 01:20PM-02:40PM; Location: OLIN327B; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 15 | | SR major: 7 | JR major: 6 | | |
| Seats Available: 8 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 1 | JR non-major: 1 | SO: X | FR: X |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 0 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
| SECTION 02 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Readings include Wagner by Barry Millington; another biography or one-volume study of the work, chosen by the student; and various essays, including "The Suffering and Greatness of Richard Wagner" by Thomas Mann. |
Examinations and Assignments:
Various short papers and reports; final exam. Listening to LOTS of Wagner is required. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
Topic: The life and music of Richard Wagner
Richard Wagner was one of the most original and influential composers who ever lived. He was also one of the most controversial. His music is considered fearsomely intellectual and pretentious by many, yet he has entered popular culture as few composers have (think "Here comes the bride..."). Rossini said, "Wagner has his beautiful moments, but terrible quarters of an hour!" Mark Twain said, "Wagner's music is much better than it sounds!" To the symbolist poets in France he was the greatest composer who ever lived. Schoenberg loved him; Stravinsky hated him. Take this course and decide for yourself! |
| Instructor(s): Bruce,Neely Times: .M.W... 02:50PM-04:10PM; Location: MST301; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 15 | | SR major: 7 | JR major: 8 | | |
| Seats Available: 13 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: X | JR non-major: X | SO: X | FR: X |
| 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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