This course offers an insight into 20th and 21st century
classical music. The course begins with us discussing and understanding the
changes from romanticism to modernism. The course is not intended for the music
specialist, but is aimed at those with an interest in knowing how, what and why
the changes from romanticism took place. It is a beginner course and the
ability to read music or understand complex musical terminology is not necessary;
all will be explained as we go along.
By the end of session five you would have listened to a range of
classical music written in the 20th and 21st centuries by
composers from Europe and America. By the end of the five sessions, you would
have been taken on a journey of understanding, and have listened and discussed
a wide range of different genres of music by numerous composers.
Monday: Session 1
Introduction:
We will begin our understanding of twentieth-century music by looking at
the romanticism. From this we will explore the changes in thought and composing
techniques. We will listen and discuss a range of different types of music by
several composers before moving onto day 2.
Tuesday:Session 2
Nationalism:
Today we will discuss the impact of Nationalism. We will listen and
discuss the music of various 20th-century composers including
Vaughan Williams, Bartok, Ives, Copland and Elgar to name but just a few.
Wednesday Session 3
Impressionism
The focus today is the impressionist school of composition. We will
discuss harmonic, texture and tonality. Don't understand? Don't worry all will
be explained on day 3. We will listen to the music of Debussy and finish the
session by looking at the works of Eric Satie and others.
Thursday: Session 4
Serialism or 12-tone school
Today we will look at the serialism or 12-tone school of composition. We
will have the process explained; we will listen and discuss the music. We will
listen to the music of composers such as Schoenberg, Berg, Webern and others.
Friday: Session 5
Minimalism and Experimentalism.
We end the week with minimalism and experimentalism. In this session we
will listen and discuss music that repeats and repeats and repeats, but does
it? We will also look at the impact of the computer and some of the new ways
that music composition is created and conceived.
