Thursdays – Music in the Period of Common Practice Introduction and Concepts About Musical Common Practice.

Thursdays – Music in the Period of Common Practice Introduction and Concepts About Musical Common Practice.

5/8 We will complete the introductory sessions for Music in the Period of Common Practice by looking at the major forms of music that were standardized during this period.   Using a mixture of musical examples from classical music, popular music, and folk music, we will look at the form used by German Lieder and folk song based on stanzas.  We will hear examples of the medley.  We will learn two and three-part song form, and we will examine the most important form to emerge out of this period, the Sonata Form.  One of the most important roles to emerge during this period is the conductor – we will discuss the importance of the French conductor Jean Baptiste Lully, known as the “Father of Modern Conducting.”

5/22 We will enter the Period of Common Practice with an Introduction to the Music of the Late Baroque.  From that period, we recognize important names such as Scarlatti, Corelli, Vivaldi, JS Bach, GF Handel, and Henry Purcell.  While examining their music, we may also discuss how this music would influence the music of contemporary composers.