Music Appreciation*
Julian Williamson
Autumn Term2010: THE MAGIC OF VIENNA (part one)
The idea of this series is to follow the artistic development of one of the world's great cities and to track the immense influence it had on music throughout Europe over a period of some 200 years. This first episode will take us through the 18th century and into the beginning of the 19th, looking at the changes in musical style from baroque to classical to the first flowering of romanticism. We will investigate the work of some of the famous names who worked in the city - Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, Schubert, and many others - and see how they, along with many immigrants from other countries, helped to forge what we understand as the Viennese style.
Part two, which will conclude the series, will take place next season, in Autumn 2011.
Spring Term 2011: THE LIFE AND WORK OF FELIX MENDELSSOHN
Since his tragically early death at the age of 38 Mendelssohn has suffered many ups and downs in his reputation, both with musical scholars and the general public. I therefore thought it might be useful to look again closely at the career of this remarkable musician, particularly in the light of some interesting new research. We will trace the family's history from the time of his grandfather - a famous Jewish philosopher - through the development of the celebrated Mendelssohn banking house, to the blossoming of the amazing prodigious talents which appeared not just in Felix but also in his sister Fanny. We will see how Felix was influenced heavily both by his teachers and his conversion to the Lutheran faith. Over the ten weeks we shall cover as much of his extensive repertoire as possible - some of which you may never have heard before - and show how he was one of the forerunners of the classical/romantic school in the first half of the 19th century.
Summer Term 2011: SEVEN WORKS WHICH CHANGED THE WORLD
For this I have chosen seven compositions which I feel have had a seminal influence of the development of music. There is, however, a surprise element here. I will only reveal their identity during the course of the series. You, the listeners, can have an input here too. I will want to know whether you agree with my choices and, if not, what other ones you might have included. I hope it will prove an interesting few weeks.
Tutor Julian Williamson
Tuesdays 10.30 – 12.30
Sep 21 – Nov 30 (half term Oct 26)
Jan 11 – March 22 (half term Feb 15)
May 3 – June 21 (half term May 31)
