High Baroque Music: Structural & Stylistic Principles

OSH 651 / Non Credit
Course taught in: English
Locations: TBA
Instructor: Judith Etzion

Course Description

A survey of the structural and stylistic principles of favorite representative works of the High Baroque (first half of the 18th century). They comprise concertos by Corelli, Vivaldi (Four Seasons), and J.S. Bach (Brandenburg Concertos); Handel’s oratorios (including The Messiah), and excerpts from J.S. Bach’s well-known keyboard and vocal music.  

Week 1 Introduction. The rise of the virtuoso violin and the Baroque orchestra in Italy. Structural principles of the Concerto Grosso and Concerto Solo. Select movements from works by Corelli and Vivaldi (including the Four Seasons)
Week 2 Excerpts from J.S. Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos: diverse and novel approaches to the concerto.
Week 3 A brief survey of the vocal dramatic genres of the late Baroque (i.e., opera, oratorio, cantata, passion). Examples from Handel’s early Italian operas to his mature English oratorios (Israel in Egypt and The Messiah)
Week 4 J.S. Bach’s organ and keyboard virtuosity: defining and demonstrating the structural principles of the prelude, fugue, toccata, and suite. Excerpts from the orchestral suites
Week 5 Select vocal and instrumental movements from J.S. Bach’s diverse and magnificent cantatas
Week 6 J.S. Bach’s St. Matthew’s Passion: one of the paramount dramatic works of the period in particular, and of the Classical repertoire in general

Dr. Judith Etzion, Ph.D. in Musicology, Columbia University, has enjoyed a distinguished career as a scholar, performer, and university professor in the USA, Israel, and Spain. She has also conducted courses in music appreciation for adult education programs for over 30 years. Dr. Etzion teaches various lifelong learning programs in South Florida.

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