HV_631 Romanticism in Music: Then and Now

Faculty of Arts
Autumn 2024
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Martin Nedbal, Ph.D. (lecturer)
prof. PhDr. Jana Perutková, Ph.D. (lecturer)
doc. Mgr. Vladimír Maňas, Ph.D. (assistant)
Guaranteed by
prof. PhDr. Jana Perutková, Ph.D.
Department of Musicology – Faculty of Arts
Supplier department: Department of Musicology – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
Thu 14:00–15:40 N43, except Mon 18. 11. to Sun 24. 11.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 7 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
This class aims at developing an understanding of the stylistic developments and social and political aspects of Western art music in the nineteenth century—the era that is often referred to as the Age of Romanticism. Another major goal of the course is to probe how nineteenth-century musical, aesthetic, and political values influence present-day views of musicians, music critics, and audiences. The class explores the works of major composers from the period, especially Rossini, Schubert, Schumann, Mendelssohn, Chopin, Liszt, Verdi, Wagner, Smetana, Dvořák, Tchaikovsky, and Brahms.
Learning outcomes
Výstupy z učení This course will help students acquire an understanding of the complex issues surrounding the inception and reception of music in the nineteenth century. In particular, the class will explore the concepts of canon formation, subjectivity, progressivism, historicism, and nationalism. The class will also introduce current methodologies used in exploring these issues in Anglo-American musicology.
Syllabus
  • • Class Schedule: Sep. 19: Brief Introduction—Beethoven vs. Rossini, discuss pp. 1–36
  • Sep. 26: No class—read chapter on Schubert (Taruskin, 79–118), answer questions, submit written answers!
  • Oct. 3: Volkstümlichkeit and Civic Nationalism: Mendelssohn (Taruskin, 119–35, 158–86)
  • Oct. 10: Opera and Politics: Weber and Meyerbeer (Taruskin, 187–230)
  • Oct. 17: Liszt and Virtuosity (Taruskin, 261–73)
  • Oct. 24: Schumann’s Fantasy, Op. 17 (Taruskin, 295–318)
  • Oct. 31: Self and Other: Orientalism vs. Nationalism—Chopin and Gottschalk vs. Saint-Saëns (Taruskin, 343–410)
  • Nov. 7: New German School: Liszt’s Les Préludes (Taruskin, 411–442)
  • Nov. 14: Slavic Music: Smetana and Glinka (Taruskin, 443–78)
  • Nov. 28: Wagner (Taruskin, 487–562)
  • Dec. 5: Verdi (Taruskin, 563–615)
  • Dec. 12: Late Nineteenth-Century Symphony: Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Dvořák (Taruskin, 703–29, 745–66, 786–824)
Literature
  • • The main textbook for the semester is Richard Taruskin’s Oxford History of Western Music, vol. 2—excerpts from this book will be posted online
Teaching methods
lectures, class discussion
Assessment methods
The final grade will be based on a Final Written Exam and an Oral Exam. The WRITTEN EXAM (in English) will be a take-home essay, which will be due on December 19, at noon. Students write a reflective essay about how Romantic thought influences present-day musical culture. In January 2025, students will also schedule an ORAL EXAM with the instructor. Students will be asked to discuss topics covered in the course throughout the semester.
Language of instruction
English
Study support
https://is.muni.cz/auth/el/phil/podzim2024/HV_631/um/
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught only once.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
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