European Studies 101 - Discovering Music

(Offered as MUSI 101 and EUST 101.) This course teaches the close reading of music through guided listening in a variety of traditions and historical periods. The topic may change from year to year. In 2016-17, we focus on aural analysis of musical texture and form through an historical survey of musical drama with an emphasis on opera. Beginning with the Renaissance musical experiments that led to the creation of opera at the beginning of the 17th century, we will trace the changing conventions of the art form through the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries covering such composers as Handel, Mozart, Rossini, Donezetti, Verdi, Wagner, Puccini, Berg, Stravinsky, Glass, and Adams. We will also cover the changing conventions of the Overture, and examine lighter musical dramatic forms such as operetta and musical. In addition to weekly listening and reading assignments, coursework includes attending concerts and screenings. No musical background or knowledge of music is required.  Two 80-minute lectures and one 50-minute section plus screenings/concerts per week.

Fall semester. Professor Schneider.