Course content

The course focuses upon three composers - Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, Josef Haydn and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. In many ways, the first mentioned represents a transitional stage between the Baroque and Classical period. Selected works from his output will be analyzed and compared to central ideas in Baroque vs. Classical aesthetics. A demand for an individual expression, for sensibility and expressivity is clearly formulated in C.P.E. Bach's writings as well as in the musical notation of many of his compositions. A "transitional aesthetics" similar to C.P.E. Bach's is also present in parts of Haydn's output, but in his case the aesthetic ideals change, culminating in works which have since been regarded as exemplary for the Viennese classical style. With Mozart, we will focus upon some of the absolute master works composed in the style of Viennese classicism.

Learning outcome

Knowledge:An examinee with a completed qualification in MUSV3136- has in-depth knowledge of the music of C.P.E. Bach, Haydn and Mozart.- has in-depth knowledge of style and structural traits in music from the Classical period- has in-depth knowledge of style and structural traits in music from the Baroque period and the transitional period between Baroque and Viennese classicism.- has in-depth knowledge of the aesthetics underlying the concepts Sturm und Drang, Empfindsamkeit and Classicism as applied to all the arts.- has in-depth knowledge of the aesthetics underlying Sturm und Drang, Empfindsamkeit and Classicism as applied to music in particular.Skills:An examinee with a completed qualification in MUSV3136- can express his/her deepened knowledge in a convincing way, both in writing and speech.- can individually find and analyze characteristic traits of style and structure in music from the Classical period as well as the transitional period between Baroque and Viennese classicism.- can individually give an aesthetic interpretation of works where such traits are found. - can individually find and assess relevant research-based knowledge to illuminate a problem within the subject.- can, based on his/her deepened knowledge, discuss academic texts in a diversified way, enter a dialogue with the texts of others and carry out his/her own reasoning, both in writing and speech.

Learning methods and activities

A syllabus of verbal texts and a syllabus of musical texts are being dealt with in lectures and seminars and studied individually. Analytic understanding of the musical texts will be central in this course. The keys to such understanding will first and foremost be obtained through active participation on lectures and seminars. Active participation will therefore be expected.

Further on evaluation

Three days home examination. The text of the home examination should have a length of about 10-12 pages.If the course is not passed, the student must retake the whole assessment.

Specific conditions

Recommended previous knowledge

Good skills in reading music.

Required previous knowledge

Requires admission to one of the Bachelor's or Master's programmes in Musicology, Music Technology or Music Performance Studies.