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There are lots of books and courses about the history of opera, the history of symphonies, and indeed of many large-scale musical forms but fewer explore the history of smaller works that we know as chamber music. From intimate songs to intricate string quartets, this genre is extremely rich and rewarding for the listener.
On this course we will explore a variety of chamber music genres that are coming up in UK recitals and concerts this season. Hopefully you will find something new and inspiring.
What will we cover?
- genres of chamber music - key works and their historical context - musical form, structure and texture including instrumental sonorities
Works planned for discussion on this course:
Pärt - Da Pacem, Domine, and others pieces - 7th Oct., 2026 (The Tallis Scholars; Cadogan Hall)
Beethoven - String Trio in G Op 9 no 1 - 28th Oct, 2026 (David Waterman, et al.; JW3):
Messiaen - Visions de l'Amen - 29th Oct., 2026 (Charles Owen and Katya Apekisheva; Kings Place)
Bach - Brandenburg Concerto No 1 and Brandenburg Concerto No 4 - 27th Nov., 2026 (London Mozart Players; St Martin in the Fields)
Haydn - Piano Trio No. 11 in E major, Hob. XV:34 - 1st Dec., 2026 (Irina Botan, et al.; St Anne's Church, Highgate)
Schubert - Die schöne Müllerin - 1st Dec., 2026 (James Newby & Carducci Quartet; St Anne's Church, Highgate)
Borodin - String Sextet in D Minor - 1st Dec., 2026 (Carducci Quartet, et al.; St Anne's Church, Highgate):
Bartok - Romanian Folk Dances, Sz. 68 - 1st Dec., 2026 (Carducci Quartet; St Anne's Church, Highgate)
Haydn - String Quartet Op 17, No 1, in E Major and String Quartet Op 54, No 1, in G Major - 27th Dec., 2026 (London Haydn Quartet; Wigmore Hall)
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Identify several chamber music genres with ease - navigate upcoming concert programmes with increased confidence - enjoy works from our sequence of recommended chamber music examples
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The course is suitable for students at many levels, and no special music-reading skills are needed. However, a basic interest and beginners’ knowledge of classical music is advised for context: (e.g. What is a symphony? Which instruments are in a string quartet? And what do we mean by the Romantic tradition?) This course is most suitable for those who regularly listen to classical music, as they will be able to compare/contrast the works on this course with memories of famous pieces of western classical music.
If you identify as an absolute beginner with little or no previous experience of listening to western classical music, we recommend you first consider our exploring classical music courses which will introduce you to a basic chronology of western classical music.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Sessions will comprise combinations of lecture, discussion, guided listening, video and score study. Course materials (handouts, scores, links to online videos) will be shared via google classroom. You will be encouraged to do extra reading outside class.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You may also wish to purchase some of the music books or recordings discussed in class, links to these materials will be available online after each session.
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.
Simon Rigby is a freelance composer, arranger, conductor, and organist; he is also a member of academic staff at Greene's College, Oxford, and a Music Tutor at the City Literary Institute, Holborn. For many years a Senior Lecturer at the London College of Music (University of West London), Simon was recently awarded an Honorary Fellowship for his services to the College. His hobbies include studying Latin, making wine, and smoking his pipe! He and his family live in Reading, Berkshire. For more details, please visit: https://bit.ly/Simon-Rigby and https://www.youtube.com/@simon.rigby.musician
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.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/chamber-music-in-production3034501Chamber music in productionhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/Musicianship_for_singers-1024.jpg299299GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Performing arts/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Music history/Courses/New courses228513141351136317431228513141351<p>Explore key works from the rich variety of chamber music performances that take place in and around London during 2027. <strong>Break Week: 27th Oct 2026</strong></p>003034345Chamber music in production299299https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/Musicianship_for_singers-1024.jpgInStockDaytimeTueKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-09-22T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allSep 2026Performing artsMD038A299299Chamber music in production239209299Simon Rigbychamber-music-in-production/md038a-2627<p>Explore key works from the rich variety of chamber music performances that take place in and around London during 2027. <strong>Break Week: 27th Oct 2026</strong></p>0000-Available|2026-09-22 00:00:00<p>There are lots of books and courses about the history of opera, the history of symphonies, and indeed of many large-scale musical forms but fewer explore the history of smaller works that we know as chamber music. From intimate songs to intricate string quartets, this genre is extremely rich and rewarding for the listener.</p><p>On this course we will explore a variety of chamber music genres that are coming up in UK recitals and concerts this season. Hopefully you will find something new and inspiring.</p><p>Explore key works from the rich variety of chamber music performances that take place in and around London during 2027. <strong>Break Week: 27th Oct 2026</strong></p><p>- genres of chamber music<br>- key works and their historical context<br>- musical form, structure and texture including instrumental sonorities</p><p>Works planned for discussion on this course:</p><ul><li>Pärt - Da Pacem, Domine, and others pieces - 7th Oct., 2026 (The Tallis Scholars; Cadogan Hall)</li><li>Schubert - 'Trout' Quintet - 28th Oct, 2026 (Connie Shih, et al.; JW3)</li><li>Beethoven - String Trio in G Op 9 no 1 - 28th Oct, 2026 (David Waterman, et al.; JW3):</li><li>Messiaen - Visions de l'Amen - 29th Oct., 2026 (Charles Owen and Katya Apekisheva; Kings Place)</li><li>Bach - Brandenburg Concerto No 1 and Brandenburg Concerto No 4 - 27th Nov., 2026 (London Mozart Players; St Martin in the Fields)</li><li>Haydn - Piano Trio No. 11 in E major, Hob. XV:34 - 1st Dec., 2026 (Irina Botan, et al.; St Anne's Church, Highgate)</li><li>Schubert - Die schöne Müllerin - 1st Dec., 2026 (James Newby & Carducci Quartet; St Anne's Church, Highgate)</li><li>Borodin - String Sextet in D Minor - 1st Dec., 2026 (Carducci Quartet, et al.; St Anne's Church, Highgate):</li><li>Bartok - Romanian Folk Dances, Sz. 68 - 1st Dec., 2026 (Carducci Quartet; St Anne's Church, Highgate)</li><li>Haydn - String Quartet Op 17, No 1, in E Major and String Quartet Op 54, No 1, in G Major - 27th Dec., 2026 (London Haydn Quartet; Wigmore Hall)</li></ul><p>- Identify several chamber music genres with ease<br>- navigate upcoming concert programmes with increased confidence <br>- enjoy works from our sequence of recommended chamber music examples</p><p>The course is suitable for students at many levels, and no special music-reading skills are needed. However, a basic interest and beginners’ knowledge of classical music is advised for context: (e.g. What is a symphony? Which instruments are in a string quartet? And what do we mean by the Romantic tradition?)<br>This course is most suitable for those who regularly listen to classical music, as they will be able to compare/contrast the works on this course with memories of famous pieces of western classical music.</p><p>If you identify as an absolute beginner with little or no previous experience of listening to western classical music, we recommend you first consider our <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/searchcourse/?q=exploring+classical+music" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">exploring classical music</a> courses which will introduce you to a basic chronology of western classical music.</p>Sessions will comprise combinations of lecture, discussion, guided listening, video and score study. Course materials (handouts, scores, links to online videos) will be shared via google classroom. You will be encouraged to do extra reading outside class.You may also wish to purchase some of the music books or recordings discussed in class, links to these materials will be available online after each session.<p>To find out more about music history classes <a href="https://https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/music/music-history" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Music history courses in London and online</a> 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.</p>MusicMusic historyvirtual239299209MD038ANONETue22/09/26 - 01/12/2613:30 - 15:3013:3015:3010 sessions (over 11 weeks)105-10 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetSimon RigbyBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-09-22T00:00:00+00:00Sep 2026Performing arts299299Chamber music in productionchamber-music-in-production/md038a-2627<p>Explore key works from the rich variety of chamber music performances that take place in and around London during 2027. <strong>Break Week: 27th Oct 2026</strong></p>0000-Available|2026-09-22 00:00:00<p>There are lots of books and courses about the history of opera, the history of symphonies, and indeed of many large-scale musical forms but fewer explore the history of smaller works that we know as chamber music. From intimate songs to intricate string quartets, this genre is extremely rich and rewarding for the listener.</p><p>On this course we will explore a variety of chamber music genres that are coming up in UK recitals and concerts this season. Hopefully you will find something new and inspiring.</p><p>Explore key works from the rich variety of chamber music performances that take place in and around London during 2027. <strong>Break Week: 27th Oct 2026</strong></p><p>- genres of chamber music<br>- key works and their historical context<br>- musical form, structure and texture including instrumental sonorities</p><p>Works planned for discussion on this course:</p><ul><li>Pärt - Da Pacem, Domine, and others pieces - 7th Oct., 2026 (The Tallis Scholars; Cadogan Hall)</li><li>Schubert - 'Trout' Quintet - 28th Oct, 2026 (Connie Shih, et al.; JW3)</li><li>Beethoven - String Trio in G Op 9 no 1 - 28th Oct, 2026 (David Waterman, et al.; JW3):</li><li>Messiaen - Visions de l'Amen - 29th Oct., 2026 (Charles Owen and Katya Apekisheva; Kings Place)</li><li>Bach - Brandenburg Concerto No 1 and Brandenburg Concerto No 4 - 27th Nov., 2026 (London Mozart Players; St Martin in the Fields)</li><li>Haydn - Piano Trio No. 11 in E major, Hob. XV:34 - 1st Dec., 2026 (Irina Botan, et al.; St Anne's Church, Highgate)</li><li>Schubert - Die schöne Müllerin - 1st Dec., 2026 (James Newby &amp; Carducci Quartet; St Anne's Church, Highgate)</li><li>Borodin - String Sextet in D Minor - 1st Dec., 2026 (Carducci Quartet, et al.; St Anne's Church, Highgate):</li><li>Bartok - Romanian Folk Dances, Sz. 68 - 1st Dec., 2026 (Carducci Quartet; St Anne's Church, Highgate)</li><li>Haydn - String Quartet Op 17, No 1, in E Major and String Quartet Op 54, No 1, in G Major - 27th Dec., 2026 (London Haydn Quartet; Wigmore Hall)</li></ul><p>- Identify several chamber music genres with ease<br>- navigate upcoming concert programmes with increased confidence <br>- enjoy works from our sequence of recommended chamber music examples</p><p>The course is suitable for students at many levels, and no special music-reading skills are needed. However, a basic interest and beginners’ knowledge of classical music is advised for context: (e.g. What is a symphony? Which instruments are in a string quartet? And what do we mean by the Romantic tradition?)<br>This course is most suitable for those who regularly listen to classical music, as they will be able to compare/contrast the works on this course with memories of famous pieces of western classical music.</p><p>If you identify as an absolute beginner with little or no previous experience of listening to western classical music, we recommend you first consider our <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/searchcourse/?q=exploring+classical+music" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">exploring classical music</a> courses which will introduce you to a basic chronology of western classical music.</p>Sessions will comprise combinations of lecture, discussion, guided listening, video and score study. Course materials (handouts, scores, links to online videos) will be shared via google classroom. You will be encouraged to do extra reading outside class.You may also wish to purchase some of the music books or recordings discussed in class, links to these materials will be available online after each session.<p>To find out more about music history classes <a href="https://https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/music/music-history" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Music history courses in London and online</a> 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.</p>MusicMusic historyconfigurable
13631351Music historyhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/music/music-history1/2/285/1314/1351/13631/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Music history
