1. Introducing Medieval Music
In this section both the music of the sacred and secular music from the 11th-14th centuries will be introduced. The dominance of the Church and its relationship to the musical developments that were taking place in secular compositions will form the focus of this lecture.
2. Rituals and Royalty: Music, Power and Ceremony in the Baroque Period
In this class we will look at the relationship between ceremonial music and power in the Baroque period (1600–1750). We will interrogate the influence that important figures such as monarchs and wealthy patrons had on the music that was produced, and, in turn, the effect that this music had in fashioning a public image for its dedicatee.
3. The Reign of Bach and Handel
This class will investigate the music of the two giants of the Baroque period: George Frideric Handel and Johann Sebastian Bach. Case studies will include Handel’s Messiah and The Music for the Royal Fireworks, as well as Bach’s 48 Preludes and Fugues and his St Matthew Passion oratorio.
4. Introducing the Symphony
The symphony was and reamains one of the largest forms of orchestral compositions in music’s history. By examining the symphonic contributions of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven, the significane of this form and how it reflected both musical and cultural developments at this time will be examined.
5. Mozart: The Man and the Artist
Mozart’s influence as a ground-breaking composer has extended into the 21st Century. By discussing some of his most popular compositions, both orchestral and vocal, the reasons why he remains such a prominent figure even in the contemporary sound world will be discussed.
6. An Invitation to Opera
The role of opera and how it reflected changes in society will form the focus of this lecture. With discussions on compositions by Wagner, Verdi, and Mozart an insight into the social music culture of the 18th and 19th centuries. This lecture will include listening to performances of some of the most famous arias by the most famous performers of this style.
7. The Last Romantic: The Piano Music of Rachmaninoff
Rachmaninoff’s compositions have, and continue to feature in many contexts. The complexity of his compositions have inspired many performers and in this section, the mastery of Rachmaninoff as a composer will be examined.
8. Classical Music in the Twentieth Century: Tradition and Innovation
Many of the great developments that took place in the composition of twentieth century composition were inspired by the work of composers from previous genres. The ways in which the music created by composers such as Schoenberg, Stravinsky, Debussy and Gerschwin, have both embraced and revolutionalised composition during this time will be discussed.
9. Understanding Contemporary Society through Popular Music
Pop, rock and hip-hop music have become known predominantly as a form of music that appeals to a majority. While the value of this music is mostly assessed in terms of the revenue made from its production, its inspiration and what the music tells us about contemporary living is rarely addressed. By examining contributions of artists such as the Beatles, 50 cent, Guns n’ Roses, for example the value of the lyrics in the songs and what they tell us about modern society will be discussed.
10. Music and other Arts (Visual Art, Architecture, Literature)
The role of music and its integration in other artforms is something that is often considered to be a contemporary development within society. However, this is a development that has a history as far back as medieval times. This collective consideration of the ‘arts’ and its importance within contemporary music will be assessed in this lecture.
