MUS 275 - The Romantic Piano Tradition

Institution:

Williams College

Subject:

Music

Description:

This course charts the development of the Romantic piano tradition from its beginnings at the end of the 18th century to the present day. With the more adventurous keyboard works of C.P.E. Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven as our starting point, we will then focus our attention on the "Romantic Generation" of Chopin, Liszt, and Schumann. As the semester progresses we will enter the 20th century with the works of Albeniz, Scriabin, and Rachmaninoff. Along the way, we will also examine the works of overlooked composers such as Alkan, Henselt, and Medtner. Topics for discussion will include the technological development of the piano, Romantic ideals of personal expression, the cult of personality surrounding virtuoso performers, formal and technical innovations of the great pianists, piano pedagogy schools, and the changing landscape of performance practice. Genres studied will include sonatas, etudes, character pieces, transcriptions, fantasies, and concertos. Consultation of historic recordings will constitute a major portion of the curriculum.

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Ability to read music

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Seminar

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.williams.edu

Phone Number:

(413) 597-3131

Regional Accreditation:

New England Association of Schools and Colleges

Calendar System:

Four-one-four plan

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