Do you want to know more about Western classical music? Explore selected topics and key works in Romantic and early 20th century music on this informative 10-week course. Ideal for people with no specialist knowledge. Break weeks: 03, 31 May 2026
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
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This course will lead you on a fascinating journey through the history and development of Western classical music, guiding you through a selection of notable styles and works, explaining key musical changes at each stage. In part 3 we explore music and composers from the early 19th century onwards. No previous musical knowledge is necessary.
What will we cover?
- chronological survey of Western classical music from Romantic to the present - the fundamental elements of music (melody, harmony, rhythm etc.) and how they work - the development of styles and genres (symphony, Lied, tone poem etc.) - Focus on certain key composers and their works from Clara Schumann, Berlioz and Wagner to Schoenberg, Stravinsky and many others - the social and historical context for key musical works
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Have an overview of the development of Western classical music from the early 19th century onwards - Understand the elements of music and how they work in this period - Understand the development of styles and genres in this period - Show specific knowledge of certain key composers and their works, in their social and historical context.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is an overview for absolute beginners. You do not need any previous knowledge of this topic. We may occasionally look at music manuscripts and point out key features of music notation (how many voices are singing, etc…) so this course will be most suitable for those who are curious and ambitious to learn. It is also ideal for gap-year students considering a music degree course in future who wish to study a chronological overview of Western classical music genres.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Tutor presentation, guided listening, class discussion and debate, video and score study. Course materials will be shared via Google Classroom: handouts, scores, links to online audio and video, recommendations to encourage and support further reading and listening outside class.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Please bring a notebook and pen to make your own notes. You may also wish to purchase some of the music books or recordings discussed in class; links to these materials will be available after each session. You may also wish to attend or take part in live performances.
Neil Luck is a composer and researcher with a broad range of academic and practical experience in the field of classical music. He is based in London, and currently completing a PhD at the University of York. As a practising composer, his work has been presented internationally, at leading festivals and institutions including the BBC Proms and the Tate Modern. As a teacher and speaker he has given talks, classes and seminars at universities, schools, galleries, and conferences. He has also created and presented radio programmes for stations such as BBC Radio 3 and Resonance FM.
Steven RobinsonSee moreSee less
Steven Robinson is originally from Clitheroe in Lancashire where, at the age of 15, he gained the organ scholarship at the local parish church. He went on to study music at Manchester University before becoming a secondary-school music teacher in Knutsford. Following the completion of a Masters and PhD in the music of Beethoven's pupil, Ferdinand Ries, he was appointed to the academic staff at Liverpool University where he lectured in music history (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Twentieth Century) and musical analysis. He also worked as a visiting lecturer for the holiday company, HF Holidays, providing musical weekends at their hotels around the country and accompanying people to the Three Choirs Festival, Opera North, Welsh National Opera and the York Early music Festival. In 2016 Steven set up his own music school in Manchester - the Verdun Allen Music Foundation - to provide music education to (mainly) retired adults. Over the last 10 years students have enjoyed courses on many different composers including Bach, Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms, Elgar, Vaughan Williams, Shostakovich, Stravinsky and James MacMillan. A special lecture on
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/exploring-classical-music-31184911Exploring classical music 3https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/e/x/exploring-classical-music-mod-3-md020c-md021c-md025c_25.jpg229229GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Performing arts/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Music history/Courses/Online courses228513141351136317311228513141351<p>Do you want to know more about Western classical music? Explore selected topics and key works in Romantic and early 20th century music on this informative 10-week course. Ideal for people with no specialist knowledge. <strong>Break weeks: 03, 31 May 2026</strong></p>003034318Exploring classical music 3229229https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/e/x/exploring-classical-music-mod-3-md020c-md021c-md025c_25_3.jpgInStockEveningThuOnlineAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-09-24T00:00:00+00:00BeginnersSep 2026Performing artsMD025C229229Exploring classical music 3229160229Neil Luckexploring-classical-music-3/md025c-2627<p>Do you want to know more about Western classical music? Explore selected topics and key works in Romantic and early 20th century music on this informative 10-week course. Ideal for people with no specialist knowledge. <strong>Break weeks: 03, 31 May 2026</strong></p>0000-Available|2026-09-24 00:00:00<p>This course will lead you on a fascinating journey through the history and development of Western classical music, guiding you through a selection of notable styles and works, explaining key musical changes at each stage.<br/>In part 3 we explore music and composers from the early 19th century onwards. No previous musical knowledge is necessary.</p><p>Do you want to know more about Western classical music? Explore selected topics and key works in Romantic and early 20th century music on this informative 10-week course. Ideal for people with no specialist knowledge. <strong>Break weeks: 03, 31 May 2026</strong></p><p>- chronological survey of Western classical music from Romantic to the present<br/>- the fundamental elements of music (melody, harmony, rhythm etc.) and how they work<br/>- the development of styles and genres (symphony, Lied, tone poem etc.)<br/>- Focus on certain key composers and their works from Clara Schumann, Berlioz and Wagner to Schoenberg, Stravinsky and many others<br/>- the social and historical context for key musical works</p>- Have an overview of the development of Western classical music from the early 19th century onwards<br/>- Understand the elements of music and how they work in this period<br/>- Understand the development of styles and genres in this period<br/>- Show specific knowledge of certain key composers and their works, in their social and historical context.<p>This course is an overview for absolute beginners. You do not need any previous knowledge of this topic. We may occasionally look at music manuscripts and point out key features of music notation (how many voices are singing, etc…) so this course will be most suitable for those who are curious and ambitious to learn. It is also ideal for gap-year students considering a music degree course in future who wish to study a chronological overview of Western classical music genres.</p>Tutor presentation, guided listening, class discussion and debate, video and score study.<br/>Course materials will be shared via Google Classroom: handouts, scores, links to online audio and video, recommendations to encourage and support further reading and listening outside class.Please bring a notebook and pen to make your own notes.<br/>You may also wish to purchase some of the music books or recordings discussed in class; links to these materials will be available after each session. You may also wish to attend or take part in live performances.<p>This course is followed by <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/exploring-classical-music-4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Exploring classical music 4</a>, which explores music since c.1900 in more detail, including much more recent composers and works.<br/>You may also be interested in other focussed topics in City Lit's wide range of <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/music/music-history" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Music history courses</a>. For more information, visit our <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/blog/music-history-your-guide-our-programme" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Guide to the Music history programme</a>.</p>MusicMusic historyvirtual3034330Exploring classical music 3299299https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/e/x/exploring-classical-music-mod-3-md020c-md021c-md025c_25_1.jpgInStockDaytimeThuKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2027-04-15T00:00:00+00:00BeginnersApr 2027Performing artsMD030C299299Exploring classical music 3239209299Steven Robinsonexploring-classical-music-3/md030c-2627<p>Do you want to know more about Western classical music? Explore selected topics and key works in Romantic and early 20th century music on this informative 10-week course. Ideal for people with no specialist knowledge. <strong>Break weeks: 03, 31 May 2026</strong></p>0000-Available|2027-04-15 00:00:00<p>This course will lead you on a fascinating journey through the history and development of Western classical music, guiding you through a selection of notable styles and works, explaining key musical changes at each stage.<br/>In part 3 we explore music and composers from the early 19th century onwards. No previous musical knowledge is necessary.</p><p>Do you want to know more about Western classical music? Explore selected topics and key works in Romantic and early 20th century music on this informative 10-week course. Ideal for people with no specialist knowledge. <strong>Break weeks: 03, 31 May 2026</strong></p><p>- chronological survey of Western classical music from Romantic to the present<br/>- the fundamental elements of music (melody, harmony, rhythm etc.) and how they work<br/>- the development of styles and genres (symphony, Lied, tone poem etc.)<br/>- Focus on certain key composers and their works from Clara Schumann, Berlioz and Wagner to Schoenberg, Stravinsky and many others<br/>- the social and historical context for key musical works</p>- Have an overview of the development of Western classical music from the early 19th century onwards<br/>- Understand the elements of music and how they work in this period<br/>- Understand the development of styles and genres in this period<br/>- Show specific knowledge of certain key composers and their works, in their social and historical context.<p>This course is an overview for absolute beginners. You do not need any previous knowledge of this topic. We may occasionally look at music manuscripts and point out key features of music notation (how many voices are singing, etc…) so this course will be most suitable for those who are curious and ambitious to learn. It is also ideal for gap-year students considering a music degree course in future who wish to study a chronological overview of Western classical music genres.</p>Tutor presentation, guided listening, class discussion and debate, video and score study.<br/>Course materials will be shared via Google Classroom: handouts, scores, links to online audio and video, recommendations to encourage and support further reading and listening outside class.Please bring a notebook and pen to make your own notes.<br/>You may also wish to purchase some of the music books or recordings discussed in class; links to these materials will be available after each session. You may also wish to attend or take part in live performances.<p>This course is followed by <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/exploring-classical-music-4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Exploring classical music 4</a>, which explores music since c.1900 in more detail, including much more recent composers and works.<br/>You may also be interested in other focussed topics in City Lit's wide range of <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/music/music-history" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Music history courses</a>. For more information, visit our <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/blog/music-history-your-guide-our-programme" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Guide to the Music history programme</a>.</p>MusicMusic historyvirtual229,239229,299160,209MD025C,MD030CNONEThu24/09/26 - 03/12/2618:00 - 19:3018:0019:3010 sessions (over 11 weeks)105-10 weeksEvening,DaytimeWeekdayOnlineOnline,Keeley StreetNeil Luck,Steven RobinsonBeginnersAvailable courses2026-09-24T00:00:00+00:00,2027-04-15T00:00:00+00:00Sep 2026,Apr 2027Performing arts229229,299Exploring classical music 3exploring-classical-music-3/md025c-2627,exploring-classical-music-3/md030c-2627<p>Do you want to know more about Western classical music? Explore selected topics and key works in Romantic and early 20th century music on this informative 10-week course. Ideal for people with no specialist knowledge. <strong>Break weeks: 03, 31 May 2026</strong></p>0000-Available|2026-09-24 00:00:00<p>This course will lead you on a fascinating journey through the history and development of Western classical music, guiding you through a selection of notable styles and works, explaining key musical changes at each stage.<br/>In part 3 we explore music and composers from the early 19th century onwards. No previous musical knowledge is necessary.</p><p>Do you want to know more about Western classical music? Explore selected topics and key works in Romantic and early 20th century music on this informative 10-week course. Ideal for people with no specialist knowledge. <strong>Break weeks: 03, 31 May 2026</strong></p><p>- chronological survey of Western classical music from Romantic to the present<br/>- the fundamental elements of music (melody, harmony, rhythm etc.) and how they work<br/>- the development of styles and genres (symphony, Lied, tone poem etc.)<br/>- Focus on certain key composers and their works from Clara Schumann, Berlioz and Wagner to Schoenberg, Stravinsky and many others<br/>- the social and historical context for key musical works</p>- Have an overview of the development of Western classical music from the early 19th century onwards<br/>- Understand the elements of music and how they work in this period<br/>- Understand the development of styles and genres in this period<br/>- Show specific knowledge of certain key composers and their works, in their social and historical context.<p>This course is an overview for absolute beginners. You do not need any previous knowledge of this topic. We may occasionally look at music manuscripts and point out key features of music notation (how many voices are singing, etc…) so this course will be most suitable for those who are curious and ambitious to learn. It is also ideal for gap-year students considering a music degree course in future who wish to study a chronological overview of Western classical music genres.</p>Tutor presentation, guided listening, class discussion and debate, video and score study.<br/>Course materials will be shared via Google Classroom: handouts, scores, links to online audio and video, recommendations to encourage and support further reading and listening outside class.Please bring a notebook and pen to make your own notes.<br/>You may also wish to purchase some of the music books or recordings discussed in class; links to these materials will be available after each session. You may also wish to attend or take part in live performances.<p>This course is followed by <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/exploring-classical-music-4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Exploring classical music 4</a>, which explores music since c.1900 in more detail, including much more recent composers and works.<br/>You may also be interested in other focussed topics in City Lit's wide range of <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/music/music-history" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Music history courses</a>. For more information, visit our <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/blog/music-history-your-guide-our-programme" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Guide to the Music history programme</a>.</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
