Description

This course will examine the evolution of Beethoven’s music, as well as the music of his significant contemporaries, such as Schubert and Weber. In addition to the music itself, we will focus on the sociological, political, and philosophical interactions between Beethoven’s work and the turbulent events of his era, such as the French Revolution and the Napoleonic wars. Ultimately, the course aims to foster the acquisition of a deep sense of context for the listener, and to provide students with the skills and strategies needed for a deeper understanding of serious music.

• Recommended Books (Amazon)
• Recommended Recordings and CDs (Amazon)

Syllabus

Syllabus and Listening Samples

This syllabus is subject to change. Download printable syllabus (PDF) 

Week 1:  Beethoven’s Upbringing
The Bonn years; move to Vienna

3 “Elector” Sonatas (Op. 2 Nos. 1-3)

• Murray Perahia

Dressler Variations; 3 trios, Op. 1

• Istomin, Fuchs, Casals

Week 2: Beethoven the Virtuoso
Early career in Vienna.

Early piano sonatas

• Listen (Wilhelm Kempff)

String quartets Op. 18

•   Listen (Guarneri Quartet)

Week 3: Beethoven’s Deafness

2nd Symphony

• Karajan

3rd Piano Concerto

• Barenboim
• Richter

Week 4: Beethoven and Napoleon
Beethoven’s political attitudes

3rd Symphony (“Eroica”)

• Karajan
• Szell
• Toscanini

Another great resource for the Eroica: KeepingScore.org - a multimedia website about the symphony’s historical context and formal structure.

Week 5: Beethoven’s Social Life
The “Immortal Beloved”

Symphonies 4-6

• 4th Symphony - Karajan
• 5th Symphony - Karajan
• 6th Symphony - Karajan

Razumovsky quartets, Op. 59

• Tokyo String Quartet

Week 6: End of the Heroic Period

Opera: Fidelio

• Voight/Heppner/Davis

Leonora Overture No. 2

• Listen (Furtwangler)

4th piano concerto

• Gilels

5th piano concerto

• Brendel

Violin concerto

• Mutter
• Stern

Week 7: Beethoven’s “Late Style”
New Philosophical and aesthetic directions

Last 3 piano sonatas

• Listen (Mitsuko Uchida)

Last 5 string quartets

• Listen (Alban Berg Quartet)

Week 8

Missa Solemnis

• Bernstein

9th Symphony

• Karajan

About the listening links: You may listen to 25 free tracks from Rhapsody.com every month without having to register or provide personal information. It “counts” if you listen beyond 30 seconds. Unlimited listening costs about $10 per month to listen on your computer and about $15 per month to download unlimited tracks to your mp3 player. (That program, called Rhapsody to Go, is not compatible with iPods but it’s possible to buy individual Rhapsody tracks for iPod.) Note: listening links provided on this page may not match the performances discussed in class.