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Composers Robert and Clara Schumann
This course celebrates the personal and musical relationship between Robert and the love of his life Clara, and how their romance sparked some of the most passionate and beautiful music of the Romantic era. We will explore how their works became one of the more defining styles of the Romantic period, and how they contributed to the long- term development of classical music. Through close examination of some of the most beautiful love songs that inspired Robert and Clara to write for one another, we will see how they each pushed the boundaries of music aesthetics for the sake of self expression. Each of them mastered the art of word painting, and contributed to one of the more popular genres in the Romantic period — the song cycle. A deep analysis of each piece will reveal the level of sophistication in their music, and lead to a better understanding and appreciation for their work. We will dissect and examine their work through the many elements in their music such as melody, harmony, word painting, texture, instrumentation and orchestration, musical form and more. The class will cover some of the most noteworthy music by Robert from his album “Scenes from Childhood...” to his lied from the song cycle ‘A Poet’s Love’, Clara’s notable Piano trio, the beautiful ‘Three Romances’, her love song ‘If You Love For Beauty, and the Piano Concerto she composed and premiered at age 16. This course is designed for music lovers as well as musicians who would like to deepen their understanding of Clara and Robert’s style and their personal musical signature. While reading music can deepen your experience, it is absolutely not necessary, and you will be able to follow and enjoy the class equally. Join me on this journey into the music of Robert and Clara Schumann; their beautiful and long lasting works that were inspired by their love and companionship. Duration: 1 class Length of class: 2 hours Dates: Wednesday, December 18, 2024 Time: 6:00 – 8:00 pm (PT) Tuition: $50 Minimum required number of students: 5
Composers Fanny and Felix Mendelssohn
This course is about one of the more loved and appreciated composers of the Romantic period — Felix Mendelssohn, and his equally talented, and yet to be discovered sister and composer, Fanny Mendelssohn. While Felix Mendelssohn’s music has been widely popular and appreciated during his life time and until this very day, Fanny Mendelssohn’s music has been only recently discovered and identified as hers. The 19th century was a time when it was not acceptable for women to be composers, not to mention recognized and accomplished. While both Fanny and Felix received the same musical education as children, Felix was encouraged to pursue a career in music, yet Fanny was told that she could never become more than an amateur. Fanny did not accept this verdict, and with the encouragement of her husband, she continued to compose music. Fanny pursued her love for music by playing the piano, conducting her choir, and performing her own music during Sunday concerts at her home. During her life time, some of Fanny’s music, including several of her Songs Without Words, were published under her brother’s name. Consequently, until recently these works were considered to be Felix’s, and all of the credit and recognition went to him. In this course we will analyze and get to know one of Fanny’s works for piano solo called Lied and Lenau from her collection of Songs Without Words, a song that was considered to be Felix’s. While it’s credited to her brother Felix, is was Fanny who began to compose Lieder, but for piano solo. The Lied at the time was one of the most popular and favorable genres for composers to write for voice and piano. It was Fanny Mendelssohn who came up with the idea of assigning both the voice and piano parts to a single instrumental work for piano solo. We will also analyze Felix’s Venetian Gondola Song, volume 2, Op. 30 from his own collection of Songs Without Words. Through the analysis of both of Fanny’s and Felix’s works — Songs Without Words, we will explore their contribution to the development and evolution of this genre. We will discuss these two works through close examination of their various music elements such as texture, melody, form, harmony, key/scale, orchestration, instrumentation, word painting, and more. In this course we will also explore Felix Mendelssohn’s Italian Symphony No. 4, the fourth movement — Saltarello, and discuss the extra musical origins and influences on this movement, and how Felix incorporated those ideas into his music. We will discover some of Felix’s hidden artistic talent, that enabled him to express himself at times when music wasn’t available to him. By the end of this course, you will have a better understanding of what makes Fanny and Felix Mendelssohn one of the more lovable and popular composers of the 19th century, and their significant contribution to the development of music elements and aesthetics during the Romantic era. This course is for music lovers, beginners, intermediates, and musicians who would like to deepen their understanding of Mahler’s musical signature. Duration: 1 class Length of class: 2 hours Dates: Wednesday, January 22, 2025 Time: 6:00 – 8:00 pm (PT) Tuition: $50 Minimum required number of students: 5
Composer Gustav Mahler
A deep study of Mahler’s compositions and main influences on his music style. Gustav Mahler defined one of the most important periods in the history of music — the Romantic period — and influenced generations of composers to come. In this course, you will get well acquainted with some of the greatest masterworks composed in the history of Classical music. This course explores the unique style and aesthetics of Gustav Mahler, and what makes him one of the most loved, appreciated and well- known composers of the Romantic era. Through deep analysis of some of Gustav Mahler’s greatest works, we will explore his contribution to the development and evolution of music elements that construct a Classical composition work, such as texture, melody, form, harmony, key/scale, orchestration, instrumentation, word painting, the Lieder and more. We will closely examine some of Gustav Mahler’s more important works, and discover the daring and experimental mind behind some of the most powerful music ever written. Following these discussions, you will have a better understanding of the various influences on Gustav Mahler’s music, and the inspirational life events and individuals whom led him to pore his heart into music. By the end of this course, you will have a better understanding of what makes Gustav Mahler one of the most important composers of the Romantic period, one of the stronger influences on generations of composers to come, his significant contribution to the development of musical elements and aesthetics that helped define music of the 19th Century, and Mahler’s invaluable legacy to Classical music. This course is for music lovers, beginners, intermediates, and musicians who would like to deepen their understanding of Mahler’s musical signature. Duration: 1 class Length of class: 2 hours Dates: TBD
Composer Maurice Ravel
A deep study of Ravel's compositions and main influences on his music style. This course explores the unique style and aesthetics of French composer Maurice Ravel, his personal and professional connection to leading artists such as Degas, Renoir or Cézanne, and their influence on his music. Through deep analysis of his music, we will explore Ravel's contribution to the development and evolution of musical elements such as texture, melody, form, harmony and orchestration. We will closely examine some of Ravel’s most beautiful music, such as ‘Conversation of Beauty and the Beast’ from the Five Pieces for Children — Mother Goose Suite, and the famous Bolero that was commissioned by the ballet dancer Ida Rubinstein. We will discuss the various ideas that led Ravel to explore new sounds and directions in music such as the Czardash Hungarian dance, gypsy music, and Spanish tunes that we will hear in the Habanera movement from his Spanish Rhapsody for orchestra. We will discover influences on his musical language, and how they contributed to the transition and transformation of music from the Romantic aesthetics to the new and exotic sounds of the French Impressionism. By the end of this course, you will have a better understanding of what Ravel’s music is all about, and new ways of listening to and understanding Classical music. This course is for music lovers, beginners, intermediates, and musicians who would like to deepen their understanding of Ravel’s musical signature. Duration: 1 class Length of class: 2 hours Dates: TBD
Composer Claude Debussy
A deep study of Debussy's music and personal style This course explores the unique style and aesthetics of the famous French composer Claude Debussy; his personal and professional connection to leading artists such as Edgar Degas, Pierre-Auguste Renoir or Paul Cézanne, and their artistic influence on his music. In this class, we will discuss some of Claude Debussy’s most well-known works, such as The Sunken Cathedral for piano solo, the second movement The Evening in Granada for him work Prints for piano solo, as well as the first movement Clouds from his larger work Three Nocturnes for Orchestra. Through deep analysis of some of Claude Debussy’s most beautiful music, we will explore his contribution to the development and evolution of musical elements such as texture, melody, form, harmony, dynamic, key, instrumentation and orchestration. We will discuss the reasons for why composers of the late Romantic era began to seek new sounds and music aesthetics, and how these composers contributed to the transition and transformation of music from the Romantic period aesthetics to the new and exotic sounds of the French Impressionism style. By the end of this course, you will have a better understanding of what Claude Debussy’s music is all about, and new ways of listening to and understanding Classical music. Duration: 1 class Length of class: 2 hours Dates: TBD
Composer Joseph Haydn
The music of Joseph Haydn, his personal signature and influences on his music style. Joseph Haydn defined one of the most important periods in the history of music — the Classical period — and influenced generations of composers to come. In this course, you will get well acquainted with some of the greatest works written in Vienna — the music center of the 18th century. This course explores the unique style and aesthetics of Joseph Haydn's music, and what makes him one of the most loved and well-known composers of the Classical era. Through deep analysis of some of Joseph Haydn’s greatest works, we will explore his contribution to the development and evolution of music elements that construct a Classical composition work, such as texture, melody, form, harmony, key/scale, orchestration, instrumentation and more. We will closely examine some of Joseph Haydn’s more important works and get to know two of the most leading musical forms of the Classical period; the Rondo form, and the Sonata form. Through analysis of Haydn’s works, we will also discuss the leading genres of his time including the Symphony and the String Quartet. Following these discussions, you will have a better appreciation of why Joseph Haydn was considered the ‘Father of Symphony’, the ‘Father of the String Quartet’, and the ‘Father of musical jokes’. By the end of this course, you will have a better understanding of what makes Joseph Haydn, alongside Wolfgang Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven, one of the three most important composers of the Classical period, and his significant contribution to the development of musical elements and aesthetics that helped define Classic music during the 18th Century. This course is for music lovers, beginners, intermediates, and musicians who would like to deepen their understanding of Haydn’s musical signature. Duration: 1 class Length of class: 2 hours Dates: TBD
Enjoying & Understanding Classical Music
How can we better listen and enjoy classical music? Learning the fundamental elements of music enables us to listen more intelligently, hear the sound more clearly, enrich our experience and increase our enjoyment while listening to music. Understanding music on an intellectual, emotional and sensuous level contributes to a more complete experience. We will learn the basic elements of music, such as melody, harmony, orchestration, rhythm, texture etc. in order to provide better listening guidelines and tools for effective and enjoyable listening. We will listen to a large variety of representative musical examples from the main classical periods (i.e. Baroque through 21st century), understand the historical as well as social context in which a musical piece was formed. We will take a closer look at music by leading composers such as Bach, Haydn, Brahms, Berlioz, Tchaikovsky, and Stravinsky. By the end of the course, you will know how to identify basic musical elements such as melody, tempo, orchestration, and harmony and will have a better understanding of the overall form of a musical piece. This course is for music lovers, beginners, intermediates, and musicians who would like to deepen their understanding of Classical music.
10 Great Classical Composers
This course offers a survey of ten great composers who left an indelible mark on the development of classical music. We will look closely at composers who developed new musical styles, brought musical genres to their most refined form, contributed to the evolution of musical instruments and the expansion of orchestras, and sometimes rebelled against convention, creating important turning points in the development of classical music. Bach brought Baroque music to its highest level of complexity and sophistication; Beethoven’s demanding writing for the keyboard led to the development of the grand piano and contributed to the expansion of the symphonic orchestra; Wagner brought the art of orchestration and harmony to its peak. Thereafter classical music experienced a great turn in musical style and aesthetics with Debussy and Schoenberg. We will also explore Haydn, Mozart, Stravinsky, Gershwin, Schubert, and Cage. Each class session will focus on the signature work of a single composer to help students develop their “ear” for that composer and to better understand the work from the point of view of the artist. We will see how each composer’s musical aesthetics and stylistic qualities contributed to the long-term development of classical music from Baroque, classical, and romantic to the 20th century and the present day. Duration: 10 weeks Length of each class: 2 hours Dates: TBD
American Composers
Today America's Music does what it always has done, bring people together. In American Music every aspect of life, ethnicity, and culture is merged, mixed, and highlighted. The rich diversity of American culture and life is reflected in its lively beat filled rhythms. American music is the story of the country, a reflection of a nation alive with change, filled with curiosity, and led by hope and excitement. As it continues to grow and change, including more and more of all that America is, American Music continues to attract and entice the whole world, because it is truly the best of all that is America. American music intertwines with aspects of social and cultural identity, thereby reflecting our country's multi-ethnic population through a diverse array of distinctively American styles such as folk music, jazz, blues, native American as well as adoption of European techniques. During this course, we will explore classical American music that emerged by the end of the 19th century, and its development throughout the 20th century. We will follow composers who pursued experimental traditions, and works published by significant immigrant composers as Stravinsky and Schoenberg. We will listen and discuss the social, cultural and/ or political context in which some of the works were composed, and other artistic or experimental aspects that influenced their musical style. This course is a wonderful opportunity to explore and understand the diverse range of works by leading American composers such as Cage, Copland, Ives, Gershwin, Crumb, Carter, Bernstein and more. This course is for music lovers, beginners, intermediates, and musicians who would like to deepen their understanding of Mahler’s musical signature. Duration: 5 classes Length of class: 2 hours Dates: TBD
Three Great Viennese Composers: Mozart, Beethoven & Haydn
Is it a coincidence that Mozart, Beethoven, and Haydn, three of the greatest composers of all time, worked and lived in Vienna during the late 18th century? Hardly. Together, Mozart, Beethoven, and Haydn defined one of the most important periods in the history of music— the classical period—and influenced generations of composers to come. Centuries later, audiences still see their compositions as the high watermark of the classical tradition and remain awed by their prodigious output: Haydn, the “father of the string quartet,” wrote a record sixty-eight quartets. Although he died at the age of thirty-five, Mozart composed more than 600 works. And Beethoven almost singlehandedly expanded the symphony and the sonata form and built a “bridge” from the classical to the romantic period. In this course, students will get well acquainted with this trio of composers and the 18th-century Viennese context in which they composed their music. We will see how the musical styles of Mozart, Beethoven, and Haydn had many features in common. But we will also come to appreciate their stylistic differences— the subtle qualities that gave each composer his own musical voice. Along the way, students will explore different musical forms: sonata, rondo, string quartet, symphony, and concerto. This course is for music lovers, beginners, intermediates, and musicians who would like to deepen their understanding of Mahler’s musical signature. Duration: 5 classes Length of class: 2 hours Dates: TBD
Five Great Classical Composers: Bach, Beethoven, Schubert, Stravinsky and Gershwin
This course offers a survey of 5 great composers who left an indelible mark on the development of classical music. We will look closely at composers who developed new musical styles, brought musical genres to their most refined form, contributed to the evolution of musical instruments and the expansion of orchestras, and sometimes rebelled against convention, creating important turning points in the development of classical music. Bach brought Baroque music to its highest level of complexity and sophistication; Beethoven’s demanding writing for the keyboard led to the development of the grand piano and contributed to the expansion of the symphonic orchestra; Gershwin migrated the sounds of jazz and American popular songs with the classical genres; Schubert brought word-paintingto the highest level of sophistication with the Lied and/while Stravinsky pushed the boundaries of musical design in all (of) its compositional layers. Each class session will focus on various works by a single composer to help students identify their ‘musical signature’ and develop an ‘ear’ for that composer . This vantage point will ultimately allow us to grasp how specific musical aesthetics and stylistic qualities of these composers contributed to the long-term development of classical music — from the Baroque, Classical, and Romantic periods, to the 20th century. This course is for music lovers, beginners, intermediates, and musicians who would like to deepen their understanding of Mahler’s musical signature. Duration: 5 classes Length of class: 2 hours Dates: TBD
Four Great Classical Composers: Mahler, Haydn, Ravel, and Beach
This course offers a survey of four composers who created important turning points in the development of classical music. They developed new musical styles, refined musical genres, contributed to the evolution of musical instruments and the orchestra, and sometimes rebelled against convention. Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) was known for his humorous personality and music. He is often called the “father” of the symphony, the piano trio, and the string quartet. Gustav Mahler (1860-1911), one of our best-known composers in the romantic style, stretched the boundaries of music aesthetics in harmony, melody, instrumentation, dynamics, and more. Mahler also wrote some of the longest symphonies ever created Maurice Ravel (1875-1937) is mostly known for Bolero, but also wrote piano solos, chamber music, and music for ballet, voice, and orchestra. Like Claude Debussy, Ravel represented the aesthetics and ideals of the impressionist style in his approach to harmony, scales, and musical form. Amy Beach (1867-1944) was one of the first American women to achieve fame as a composer and was also an acclaimed piano soloist. Her music blends a unique Classical American style with Western European aesthetic influences and Irish tunes inherited from her ancestors. Each class session will focus on one of these composers and their important works. Students will develop an ear for each composer’s musical signature and will learn how each contributed to the development of classical music, from the Classical and Romantic periods to the 20th century. This course is for music lovers, beginners, intermediates, and musicians who would like to deepen their understanding of Mahler’s musical signature. Duration: 4 classes Length of class: 2 hours Dates: TBD
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