A history of piano music
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
- Course Code: MD610
- Dates: 19/09/24 - 28/11/24
- Time: 18:00 - 20:00
- Taught: Thu, Evening
- Duration: 10 sessions (over 11 weeks)
- Location: Online
- Tutor: Maria Razumovskaya
Course Code: MD610
Duration: 10 sessions (over 11 weeks)
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
This course provides an introduction to keyboard instruments from the eras of Bach to Brahms, their repertoire and the composers who wrote for them. The main focus is on piano repertoire but this course will also include works written for harpsichord, fortepiano and church organ.
This is a live online course. You will need:
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone if you don't have a computer.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.
What will we cover?
- Biographical outlines of key composers and instrument makers
- The main features and design of keyboard instruments
- How and why English and Continental expectations of music-making and composition produced distinctive schools of thought
- Historical context and chronological development of musical forms and styles
- Case studies covering a wide range of repertoire for keyboard instruments.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Demonstrate a broad understanding of the chronology of key compositions
- Enjoy an enhanced understanding of this repertoire based on a deeper knowledge of musical structure and historical context.
- Demonstrate a deep understanding of several key works of the piano repertoire and feel empowered to use this knowledge as a template to explore more repertoire in future
- Access musical scores and reliable historical information from online resources.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable for anyone with an interest in listening to piano or keyboard music and who wishes to find out more about the history of performing this repertoire. We will look at various scores and historical documents during this course but you do not need to read music notation to participate in these activities. All texts will be in English, or accompanied by an English translation. You can access further course materials online though the Google classroom site during the course.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Tutor presentation and explanation, including handouts
Guided listening and watching of audio and audio-visual examples
Class discussion and debate
Listening and reading outside class is encouraged.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Please bring a notebook and pen.
You may wish to buy some of the music or books recommended in class.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
To find out more about music history classes Music history courses in London and online which lists our full programme of classes ordered by term, and by day of the week. You may then click on each title to read the full course outline.
Maria Razumovskaya received her pianistic training with Rustem Hayroudinoff at the Royal Academy of Music in London, graduating with Distinction and several prizes. She furthered her studies with Professor Dmitri Alexeev as an AHRC doctoral scholar at the Royal College of Music. Maria combines intellectual integrity with an intensely emotional performance style. She has performed extensively in the UK and continental Europe, and her live radio broadcasts include ‘BBC Introducing‘ and the BBC ‘In Tune' series. Her debut CD, Liszt B Minor Piano Sonata and Other Works (Malachite), was shortlisted for the Liszt Disque Grand Prix. Further recordings include works of Busoni, Liszt, CPE Bach and Rachmaninov. She has published a monograph on pianist and pedagogue Heinrich Neuhaus (Boydell & Brewer), book chapters, and articles for academic and general periodicals including BBC Music, International Piano, and Pianist. She teaches at City Lit and Guildhall School of Music and Drama, is guest faculty at several international music academies and festivals, and is a Steinway Artist.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
