Hello and welcome.
I decided to make this course with the purpose of giving tools: tools to make everyone able to better explore Classical Music on their own in a simple, straight-forward, non-technical way that anyone can follow, while remaining culturally rich and practically useful.
We will discuss four major topics:
- the timeline of classical music: the four periods and the major styles that make the history of music, as well as the most important composers;
- music's triple nature: the three elements music itself is made of and how they are connected;
Read more
Hello and welcome.
I decided to make this course with the purpose of giving tools: tools to make everyone able to better explore Classical Music on their own in a simple, straight-forward, non-technical way that anyone can follow, while remaining culturally rich and practically useful.
We will discuss four major topics:
- the timeline of classical music: the four periods and the major styles that make the history of music, as well as the most important composers;
- music's triple nature: the three elements music itself is made of and how they are connected;
Hello and welcome.
I decided to make this course with the purpose of giving tools: tools to make everyone able to better explore Classical Music on their own in a simple, straight-forward, non-technical way that anyone can follow, while remaining culturally rich and practically useful.
We will discuss four major topics:
- the timeline of classical music: the four periods and the major styles that make the history of music, as well as the most important composers;
- music's triple nature: the three elements music itself is made of and how they are connected;
- the genres: the most common words you are going to find within the world of classical music, focusing on the different type of pieces most often played;
- the orchestra: we will get familiar with all the instruments found in a large symphonic orchestra, learning to recognize their sound, their characteristics and personality.
Since I am allergic to too much theory, I took some time to add a couple of in-depth music appreciation lectures, to integrate the informative ones. You will be amazed at what treasures are hidden within even a single minute of great music. If you are skeptical about this, come in and see. You won't be disapponted.
What's inside
Learning objectives
- The major periods and authors in classical music history
- The single elements which make music and how they interact with each other
- The main genres of compositions and their cultural and historical path
- How to get in familiar with the instruments of the orchestra and recognize their sound
- The major periods and authors in classical music history
- The single elements which make music and how they interact with each other
- The main genres of compositions and their cultural and historical path
- How to get in familiar with the instruments of the orchestra and recognize their sound
Syllabus
Introduction
Hello and welcome!
In this first introductory lecture I explain what will be the content of the course and what will be our focus though the various parts of it.
Read more
Syllabus
Hello and welcome!
In this first introductory lecture I explain what will be the content of the course and what will be our focus though the various parts of it.
In this lecture we name the major periods which make classical music history and introduce some time coordinates.
In this lecture we talk about the first of the four major periods, Baroque: we name the main composers and instruments commonly used and in the end through an example we take a look of the style typical of baroque music.
Here we move on to Classicism, the second major period. As we did with Baroque we take a look at main composers, main instruments and style of the period.
It is worth dedicating this lecture to Beethoven, the revolutionary who transition music towards Romanticism: we talk about his personality and the changes he introduces with his music.
Time to talk about Romanticism. Here and in the next lecture you will find the main features of this third period alongside some of the main composers.
It is finally time to dive deep into a piece. As an example of romantic music we will taste and analyze the beginning of Robert Schumann's piano concerto. Due to its incredible richness of ideas and shivers we will need three lectures to properly enjoy this piece.
In this lecture we spend some words on the last of the major periods, the modern era: some of the main composers, mindset, innovations.
Preview of our focus in this section: music's triple nature.
Let us talk about the most primordial element of music, rhythm: its characteristics, its meaning, its role.
Who doesn't know what "melody" means? Still, it is worth spending some time to summarize its features and its impact on us, with the aid of a delicious example of course!
In this lecture we get to know the least immediate element of music: harmony. What it is, what it does and what it is capable of will be the main topics. Many of you will be surprised by the musical example I chose!
To show how the three elements are combined to create a great piece I dedicate this lecture and the following to another in-depth music appreciation moment: we discuss about the great ending climax of the first movement from Anton Bruckner's sixth symphony.
The concept of "genre" is crucially important in classical music. In this first lecture I already explain a couple of important and recurring terms we already mentioned which are used a lot in classical music.
Starting from the most little formations we take a look at a couple of common genres born in the baroque period.
Chamber music is not only a matter of number of musicians involved: it implies a mindset, a world of expression son of Viennese Classicism. We learn its meaning in this lecture.
With Romanticism the cultural conception of chamber music cannot remain the same: the context changes, the expressive needs are no longer the same. We see this evolution together.
Very loved and often used, big formations have their own pools of genres, very famous and commonly found in concerts programs. Who has never heard the words "concerto" or "symphony"? In this lecture we describe their characteristics.
Being a part of European culture, classical music cannot avoid being involved in Christianity and the artistic representation of its imaginary. The main genres of classical sacred music are two: we learn about them here.
The orchestra is a big formation and it is not easy to get familiar with all the instruments involved. In this lecture we take a brief look at its history and evolution through three centuries.
Here I introduce you the piece we are going to use to get in touch with each instrument of the orchestra. Before going into the single ones we start out with the instrumental families and get a picture of how the various groups of instruments sound while playing together.
In this lecture we name all the woodwinds instruments and we listen to their variations.
It is time to move to another family: the strings. Here and in the next lecture we will see the differences between them and their timbers.
The artillery of the orchestra: the brasses. Still, they are not only very loud and powerful instruments; each of them has a distinct personality to: we get to know them here.
Britten gives a lot of room in this piece for percussion instruments: we see why and which is the most important of them.
A super quick, trampling and terrific run through all the instruments again: this is how our piece end in grand fashion.
Thank you for joining and stay tuned!
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Reviews summary
Introduction to classical music basics
Analysis of specific pieces is valuable.
Provides a good foundation across key areas.
Concepts are explained simply and effectively.
A welcoming and accessible introduction.
Activities
Review Music Theory Fundamentals
Show steps
Strengthen your understanding of fundamental music theory concepts. This will provide a solid foundation for appreciating the more complex aspects of classical music discussed in the course.
Browse courses on
Music Theory
Show steps
-
Review basic music notation.
-
Practice identifying intervals and chords.
-
Study basic rhythmic patterns.
Explore 'Classical Music for Dummies'
Show steps
Reinforce your understanding of basic concepts and terminology. This book provides a friendly and accessible overview of classical music.
View
Classical Music For Dummies (For Dummies...
on Amazon
Show steps
-
Read chapters related to course topics.
-
Review key terms and definitions.
-
Complete any practice exercises.
Explore Online Orchestral Instrument Guides
Show steps
Reinforce your knowledge of orchestral instruments and their sounds. This will enhance your ability to recognize instruments and appreciate their role in orchestral music.
Show steps
-
Find online resources that demonstrate instrument sounds.
-
Listen to examples of each instrument playing solo.
-
Identify instruments in orchestral excerpts.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Read 'The Rest Is Noise' by Alex Ross
Show steps
Gain a deeper understanding of the historical and cultural context of classical music. This book will enrich your appreciation of the music discussed in the course.
View
Wagnerism: Art and Politics in the Shadow of...
on Amazon
Show steps
-
Read a chapter each week.
-
Take notes on key composers and pieces.
-
Reflect on the connections between music and history.
Create a Playlist of Favorite Pieces
Show steps
Actively engage with the music and solidify your understanding of different genres and composers. This will help you personalize your learning experience and develop your own taste in classical music.
Show steps
-
Select pieces from each period covered in the course.
-
Write a short paragraph explaining your choices.
-
Share your playlist with other students.
Research a Composer
Show steps
Deepen your understanding of a specific composer and their contributions to classical music. This project will encourage independent learning and critical thinking.
Show steps
-
Choose a composer from the course or your own interest.
-
Research their life, works, and historical context.
-
Write a short report summarizing your findings.
Attend a Live Concert and Write a Review
Show steps
Apply your knowledge and develop your critical listening skills. This activity will provide a real-world experience of classical music performance.
Show steps
-
Find a local classical music concert.
-
Attend the concert and take notes.
-
Write a review of the performance, focusing on the music and the performers.
Review Music Theory Fundamentals
Show steps
Strengthen your understanding of fundamental music theory concepts. This will provide a solid foundation for appreciating the more complex aspects of classical music discussed in the course.
Browse courses on
Music Theory
Show steps
- Review basic music notation.
- Practice identifying intervals and chords.
- Study basic rhythmic patterns.
Explore 'Classical Music for Dummies'
Show steps
Reinforce your understanding of basic concepts and terminology. This book provides a friendly and accessible overview of classical music.
View
Classical Music For Dummies (For Dummies...
on Amazon
Show steps
- Read chapters related to course topics.
- Review key terms and definitions.
- Complete any practice exercises.
Explore Online Orchestral Instrument Guides
Show steps
Reinforce your knowledge of orchestral instruments and their sounds. This will enhance your ability to recognize instruments and appreciate their role in orchestral music.
Show steps
- Find online resources that demonstrate instrument sounds.
- Listen to examples of each instrument playing solo.
- Identify instruments in orchestral excerpts.
Read 'The Rest Is Noise' by Alex Ross
Show steps
Gain a deeper understanding of the historical and cultural context of classical music. This book will enrich your appreciation of the music discussed in the course.
View
Wagnerism: Art and Politics in the Shadow of...
on Amazon
Show steps
- Read a chapter each week.
- Take notes on key composers and pieces.
- Reflect on the connections between music and history.
Create a Playlist of Favorite Pieces
Show steps
Actively engage with the music and solidify your understanding of different genres and composers. This will help you personalize your learning experience and develop your own taste in classical music.
Show steps
- Select pieces from each period covered in the course.
- Write a short paragraph explaining your choices.
- Share your playlist with other students.
Research a Composer
Show steps
Deepen your understanding of a specific composer and their contributions to classical music. This project will encourage independent learning and critical thinking.
Show steps
- Choose a composer from the course or your own interest.
- Research their life, works, and historical context.
- Write a short report summarizing your findings.
Attend a Live Concert and Write a Review
Show steps
Apply your knowledge and develop your critical listening skills. This activity will provide a real-world experience of classical music performance.
Show steps
- Find a local classical music concert.
- Attend the concert and take notes.
- Write a review of the performance, focusing on the music and the performers.
Career center
Music Historian
Music Critic
Choral Director
Music Teacher
Arts Administrator
Radio Broadcaster
Music Librarian
Concert Promoter
Music Publicist
Film Score Supervisor
Music Venue Manager
Musical Instrument Technician
Music Therapist
Sound Engineer
Music Sales Representative
Reading list
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