Music Humanities ("Masterpieces of Western Music")
I delivered this course at Columbia University in Spring 2017 as well as in a Summer 2018 session. The representative syllabus here pertains to a semester-long course during the academic year.
Attention: The final examination for this section will take place in Dodge 405 on Monday 5/8 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (2 hours and 30 minutes).
Notes
Where sign-in is required:
- You must be signed-in with your LionMail account.
Syllabus
Please find the syllabus for this course here. The syllabus contains administrative and academic miscellanea pertaining to the course.
Course schedule
Schedule outline
The Schedule outline summarizes the plan for the semester, including the topics and the works to be studied for each class. Feel free to seek out any recordings you like for the works listed if you want to get ahead.
Full course schedule
The Full course schedule includes all reading and listening assignments, and courtesy links to recommended recordings of the works we will be studying. The full course schedule will be updated regularly to reflect the exact preparation requirements and to serve as a summary of the concepts covered in each class meeting. This schedule is definitive with respect to these matters.
Writing Assignments
Assignment 1 - The madrigal and text expression
Requirements
Please find the writing prompt distributed in class here.
Reference recordings
- “Morir non può il mio cuore” (“My heart cannot die”), Maddalena Casulana (1566) [mp3]
- “As Vesta was from Latmos hill descending,” Thomas Weelkes (1601) [mp3]
- “Quivi sospiri pianti” (“Their sighs, lamentations…”), Luzzascho Luzzaschi (1576) [mp3]
Assignment 2 - Music and expression
Please find the writing prompt distributed in class here.
Assignment 3 - Experimental and avant-garde music
Requirements
Please find the writing prompt distributed in class here.
Reference recordings
- Georges Aperghis, “Retrouvailles” (2013)
- Tom Johnson, “Failing: A Very Difficult Piece for String Bass” (1975)
- Steve Reich, “Pendulum Music” (1968)
- Meredith Monk, “Dolmen Music” (1980/1)
Quizzes
The make-up question will be available at the full course schedule shortly after the class in which they were issued.