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Music Appreciation Classes
Our music appreciation courses for adults of any level are conducted in a group setting over Zoom, similar to a college lecture. These engaging classes provide a comprehensive understanding and appreciation of classical music.
Enjoying & Understanding Classical Music I
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.
Enjoying & Understanding Classical Music II: From Romantic to “New” Music
When music in the early 1900 was first heard people asked why composers could not go on writing like Tchaikovsky or Puccini, or Haydn and Mozart. The audience felt that the “new” music had assaulted their ears and wondered what happened to the sanity of the new generations of composers? What changed in the 20th century? During this course we will discuss the musical and stylistic transition from Romantic to the new or contemporary music. And we will see how experimentation and innovation enriched the language of music. Along the way, we will listen to a large variety of musical examples by leading composers whom today are acknowledged as masters of the 20th century. We will take a closer look at music by composers such as Brahms, Mahler, Debussy, Stravinsky, Bartok, Britten, Shostakovich, Messiaen, Reich, Gershwin, Berio and Carter. This course is for the listener whom has a basic understanding of the concepts of the fundamental elements of music such as: texture, melody, harmony, rhythm, orchestration etc. A short review of these terminologies will be provided in class.
10 Great Classical Composers
his 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.
The Great Three Viennese Composers: Mozart, Beethoven and 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.
American Composers
American music reflects our country’s diverse population, incorporating a wide array of distinctively American styles such as folk music, jazz, blues, and Native American music. It also draws on musical traditions from Europe. In this sound- filled course, we will explore the classical American music that emerged during the 19th and 20th centuries, and we will see how this music drew on traditional American and European influences to create something decidedly different and new. Works examined in the course will include “Three Places in New England” by Charles Ives, “‘Porgy and Bess” by George Gershwin, “Fanfare for the Common Man” by Aaron Copland, “Cello Concerto” by Elliot Carter, and the “Gaelic” symphony by Amy Beach, to name but a few. We will also follow composers who pursued experimental traditions, and explore works published by significant immigrant composers such as Igor Stravinsky and Arnold Schoenberg. While listening to their compositions, we will consider the social, cultural, and political context in which these works were composed, and the artistic and experimental influences that shaped their musical style.
The Concert Hall Experience
Whether it’s your first time going to a live concert performance, or an on-going experience you have been pursuing for years, you may be wondering: “what should I expect... which instruments are playing... how can I prepare myself to hear music that is new to me... when should I clap...? and many more...” This course is designed to provide you with some great tips on how to prepare for a live concert performance in ways that will change your entire experience and contribute to
a more enjoyable event.
Portraits of Composers in Music & Art
Did you know that Classical composers Felix Mendelssohn and George Gershwin were also talented painters…? In this three-part series, we will explore works by Classical composers who also paint. During each lecture, we will listen to music recordings and view images of their works. This setting provides the audience with both a visual and audio experience, thereby allowing a more complete understanding and insight into these composers’ artistic works. The repertoire includes works by Jewish composers/ painters from across the world. It demonstrates how each of these artists expresses his culture, tradition and self-identity through music and painting. Lectures will include music and paintings by leading composers such as Avni (Israel), Gershwin (USA), Schönberg and Mendelssohn (Germany-Austria).
From Solo, Ensemble to Orchestral Music
What is the difference between music composed for a solo instrument versus an ensemble, orchestra or choir? How does composers choose their ‘palette of instruments’ for a particular composition? Why did Beethoven compose his Symphony No. 5 for orchestra rather than for a solo instrument....? What is the unique quality and effect that different combination of instruments create, and how does it affect the overall sound of the work? Being familiar with the most common combination of instruments that were used by composers throughout music history is significant in understanding a musical composition. In this course we will listen to music recordings by leading composers, explore the qualities in sound that each one of these combination of instruments offer, and discuss the ways in which a work for solo instrument differs from a string quartet, ensemble, concerto, symphony or choir.
Musical Forms in the Medieval & Baroque Periods
As we listen to music at home or at a concert hall, one of the key elements for understanding the common question - what is happening in the music?! - is the understanding of musical texture and form. What is a musical form? How does the form of a musical piece affect our listening and understanding of the work? What is musical texture? And how can it affect the form of a piece? When we talk about texture in music - we refer to the relationship between the various instruments or ‘voices’. When we talk about the form of a musical work - we refer to the ‘architecture’ or structure of the piece. In this class we will discuss the main textures that can affect the form of a piece. Through the understanding of textures; such as counterpoint or homophony, we will explore the main musical forms that composers followed in the Medieval and Baroque periods. We will listen to music recordings and discuss the most common forms used during these periods, such as the Ritornello, Gregorian Chant, Partita and Fugue.
Musical Forms in the Classical & Romantic Periods
As we listen to music at home or at a concert hall, one of the key elements for understanding the common question - what is happening in the music?! - is the understanding of the structure, or ‘architecture’ of a work, known as the form. What is a musical form? How does the form of a musical piece affect our listening and understanding of a work? Through the introduction of Repetition or the basic Binary and Ternary structures of a musical work, we will explore the most complex leading forms in the Classical and Romantic periods. We will listen to music recordings and discuss the most common used forms of these periods, such as the Rondo, Concerto, Minuet-Trio-Minuet, Theme and Variations and Sonata form.
What is Program Music?
Some of the greatest composers in the history of classical music wrote ‘Program Music’.
What is Program music and what distinguishes it from ‘Absolute Music’? In this four-part course
we will listen to music by composers such as Bach, Beethoven, Vivaldi, Debussy, Schubert,
Mahler and discover the mystery behind some of their most well-known works. We will also
explore some of the main musical forms that were practiced by composers whom wrote
Program music such as song-cycle, symphonic poem, suite and more.
The Gershwin Legacy: A Celebration of his S’Wonderful Music & Life
A unique and entertaining multi-media event celebrating one of Broadways' greatest American composers and pianists of all times. The legendary George Gershwin wrote some of the best known songs such as I got Rhythm, S’Wonderful, Summertime and contributed some of the greatest and most important works in American music history such as Rhapsody in Blue and American in Paris. Join us for a tantalizing live performance of a broad collection of Gershwin’s most popular songs, anecdotes about his life and unique music style, rare archival footage, as well as a surprising journey into Gershwin's less-known, yet incredible talent in the visual arts. Jazz lovers, Classical music connoisseurs, musical theater folks, art lovers - this event is not to be missed!
Let’s Fall In Love: A Special Valentine’s Day Celebration
Join us for a special evening celebrating love in music with some of the most beautiful songs of all time. The evening will feature popular songs and arias written by Gershwin, Mozart, Bernstein, Schubert,Porter, Verdi, and other composers. This unique multimedia event of live performance, commentary, and rare archival footage promises an unforgettable journey through the many faces of love in music. Come prepared to let jazz, classical music, musical theater, and opera sweep you off your feet!
