History of the Symphony

Catalog description

A study of major symphonic works from 1750 to the modern period. For reasons we will examine, symphonic literature, and the symphony in particular, has long been considered Western art music's greatest monument to its history. Composers have agonized over its composition, conductors have devoted careers to it, and audiences have deeply and zealously expressed their admiration for it. We want to understand why this music is so revered and why we continue to listen to repertoire composed centuries ago. We also want to understand how the aesthetics of these works have been shaped by their historical and socio-cultural contexts and how their meaning and value continue to change. Over the course of the semester, we will analyze some of the most celebrated examples of this genre. We will place them in their historical and socio-cultural contexts with primary sources and insightful academic scholarship. Your critical listening, reading, and thinking skills will be expanded as we delve into almost three centuries of music and writing. This course counts as Music Support for undergraduate (general) and graduate (history) requirements for Music majors.