Advanced Theory: Beethoven

Very few composers had a more profound influence on the course of Western history than Beethoven. After 200 years, many of his extraordinary works remain at the very core of the concert repertoire; and the way in which they blend formal design, compositional techniques, and emotional force continue to serve as a great source of inspiration for many musicians today. Already during his lifetime, Beethoven became a new model of what it actually meant to be a composer. This course will examine a broad range of his music, including selections from his piano sonatas and trios, string quartets, symphonies, opera, mass settings, and songs. Our main focus will be on detailed analysis. We will also consider Beethoven’s own sources of inspiration—not only the musical ones (such as Haydn, Mozart, J.S. and C.P.E. Bach, Handel, and French revolutionary music) but also some of the political, philosophical, and literary currents of his time. In addition to more general biographic literature, we will draw upon some recent writings on Beethoven’s economic, medical, and psychological circumstances. Successful completion of the first two years of theory (or equivalent background) is a requirement. This course may be taken as either an advanced theory or a music history component. Permission of the instructor is required.