This module provides an introductory overview of classical music from the Baroque to the twentieth century, through the examination of works in five key genres: concerto, opera, symphony, lied and chamber music. Works studied in the course include Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos, Mozart’s The Magic Flute, Schumann’s Frauenliebe und -leben, Ravel’s Introduction and Allegro, and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5. Each work is set in its historical and cultural context and the main stylistic characteristics – form, texture, melody – will be explored through listening.

Knowledge and Understanding:

By the end of the period of learning, the typical student will be able to:

• Show an awareness of the main musical genres under discussion: concerto, opera, symphony, lied and chamber music.
• Have the ability to discuss meaningfully the main musical features of each case study.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the social, cultural and historical contexts of the composers and music studied.

Intellectual Skills:

By the end of the period of learning, the typical student will be able:

• Integrate information derived from classes, discussion and private study.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the broad contextual knowledge relevant to the topic.
• Articulate a developing personal and critical stance in relation to relevant academic arguments.
• Show ability to exercise judgement and make informed choices.

Discipline Specific (including practical) Skills:

By the end of the period of learning, the typical student will be able:

• Pursue independent academic enquiry.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the interrelationship of analytical and contextual aspects of historical and practical study in music.

This course is taught in 10, two-hour sessions, delivered on a weekly basis.

Teaching and learning is centred on small group teaching techniques. Key information is provided aurally and illustrated through the study of PowerPoint, audio and audio-visual music examples, as well as relevant historical documents, visual images, and, if appropriate, scores. One of the main aims of the module is to develop a general understanding of the topic, but also to encourage and stimulate further discussion and critical debate.

Students are also expected to spend additional time in private reading and listening.

Academic Skills:

By the end of the period of learning, the typical student will have:

·        Found relevant resources in the library and online;

·        Assessed the reliability of different sources of information;

·        Demonstrated a critical approach to academic texts.

Transferable/employability Skills:

By the end of the period of learning, the typical student will have shown that he/she can:

• Work effectively as part of a group;
• Present views and arguments clearly;
• Communicate ideas and arguments effectively in oral and written form;
• Assemble information and draw appropriate conclusions from it;
• Make effective use of libraries and, when appropriate, the internet.

Week 1: Genre 1: concerto

Week 2: Case Study: Bach, Brandenburg Concerto No. 5

Week 3: Genre 2: opera

Week 4: Case Study: Mozart, The Magic Flute

Week 5: Genre 3: lied and song cycle

Week 6: Case Study: Schumann, Frauenliebe und -leben

Week 7: Genre 4: chamber music

Week 8: Case Study: Ravel, Introduction and Allegro

Week 9: Genre 5: symphony

Week 10: Case Study: Shostakovich, Symphony No. 5

Berger, Melvin, Guide to Chamber Music (Dover Publications, 3rd edn, 2009)

Horton, Julian (ed.), The Cambridge Companion to the Symphony (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2013)

Keefe, Simon P (ed.), The Cambridge Companion to the Concerto(Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2005)

Parker, Roger, and Carolyn Abbate, A History of Opera: The Last Four Hundred Years(Allen Lane, 2012)

Tunbridge, Laura, The Cambridge Companion to the Song Cycle(Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2011)

Latham, Alison, The Oxford Companion to Music (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002)

Randel, Don Michael, Harvard Dictionary of Music (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2003)

Sadie, Stanley and John Tyrrell (eds), The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, 29 vols (London: Macmillan, 2001)

Taruskin, Richard, The Oxford History of Western Music, 5 vols (New York: Oxford University Press, 2005)