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This single‑session lecture introduces the life, writings, and cultural importance of Charles Burney (1726–1814), one of the earliest and most influential historians of music. Through his extensive travels, vivid diaries, and ambitious multi‑volume History of Music, Burney established many of the foundations of modern music historiography. This session will explore his methods, the world he documented, and the lasting impact of his scholarship on how we study and interpret musical culture today.
What will we cover?
• Charles Burney’s life, education, and musical background • The General History of Music: scope, aims, and scholarly significance • Burney’s European travel diaries: encounters with composers, performers, and institutions • His contributions to early ethnomusicological thinking • Burney’s role in shaping Enlightenment views of music • Strengths and limitations of his historical approach • Burney’s legacy in later musicology and cultural history
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Understand Charles Burney’s importance as an early historian of music • Identify the key themes, methods, and aims of his major writings • Recognise how Burney’s travels contributed to his historical perspective • Discuss the continuing influence of his work on modern music scholarship
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
- Sessions will comprise combinations of lecture, discussion, quizzes, 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.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Tutor presentation, guided listening and watching, class discussion. Course materials will be shared via Google Classroom, with recommendations to encourage further exploration after the course.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Please have a pen and notebook to make your own notes during class. You may 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 live performances.
We’re sorry. We don’t have a bio ready for the tutor of this class at the moment, but we’re working on it! Watch this space.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/great-musicians-charles-burney3034549Great musicians: Charles Burneyhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/Exploring-opera-3-MD999-1024.jpg3939GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Performing arts/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Music history/Courses/New courses228513141351136317431228513141351<p>Discover the pioneering historian whose writings shaped our understanding of 18th‑century music.</p>003034405Great musicians: Charles Burney3939https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/Exploring-opera-3-MD999-1024.jpgInStockDaytimeTueKeeley StreetAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekday2027-04-13T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allApr 2027Performing artsMD701B3939Great musicians: Charles Burney393939great-musicians-charles-burney/md701b-2627<p>Discover the pioneering historian whose writings shaped our understanding of 18th‑century music.</p>0000-Available|2027-04-13 00:00:00<p>This single‑session lecture introduces the life, writings, and cultural importance of Charles Burney (1726–1814), one of the earliest and most influential historians of music. Through his extensive travels, vivid diaries, and ambitious multi‑volume History of Music, Burney established many of the foundations of modern music historiography. This session will explore his methods, the world he documented, and the lasting impact of his scholarship on how we study and interpret musical culture today.</p><p>Discover the pioneering historian whose writings shaped our understanding of 18th‑century music.</p><p>• Charles Burney’s life, education, and musical background<br>• The General History of Music: scope, aims, and scholarly significance<br>• Burney’s European travel diaries: encounters with composers, performers, and institutions<br>• His contributions to early ethnomusicological thinking<br>• Burney’s role in shaping Enlightenment views of music<br>• Strengths and limitations of his historical approach<br>• Burney’s legacy in later musicology and cultural history</p><p>• Understand Charles Burney’s importance as an early historian of music<br>• Identify the key themes, methods, and aims of his major writings<br>• Recognise how Burney’s travels contributed to his historical perspective<br>• Discuss the continuing influence of his work on modern music scholarship</p><p>- Sessions will comprise combinations of lecture, discussion, quizzes, guided listening, video and score study. <br>- Course materials (handouts, scores, links to online videos) will be shared via google classroom.<br>- You will be encouraged to do extra reading outside class.</p><p>Tutor presentation, guided listening and watching, class discussion. Course materials will be shared via Google Classroom, with recommendations to encourage further exploration after the course.</p><p>Please have a pen and notebook to make your own notes during class. You may 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 live performances.</p><p>City Lit offers a wide range of <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/music/music-history" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Music history courses</a>. For more information, visit our <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/blog/music-history-your-guide-our-programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Guide to the Music history programme</a>. </p>MusicMusic historyvirtual393939MD701BNONETue13/04/2713:30 - 15:3013:3015:301 session1One-off onlyDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2027-04-13T00:00:00+00:00Apr 2027Performing arts3939Great musicians: Charles Burneygreat-musicians-charles-burney/md701b-2627<p>Discover the pioneering historian whose writings shaped our understanding of 18th‑century music.</p>0000-Available|2027-04-13 00:00:00<p>This single‑session lecture introduces the life, writings, and cultural importance of Charles Burney (1726–1814), one of the earliest and most influential historians of music. Through his extensive travels, vivid diaries, and ambitious multi‑volume History of Music, Burney established many of the foundations of modern music historiography. This session will explore his methods, the world he documented, and the lasting impact of his scholarship on how we study and interpret musical culture today.</p><p>Discover the pioneering historian whose writings shaped our understanding of 18th‑century music.</p><p>•&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Charles Burney’s life, education, and musical background<br>•&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;The General History of Music: scope, aims, and scholarly significance<br>•&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Burney’s European travel diaries: encounters with composers, performers, and institutions<br>•&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;His contributions to early ethnomusicological thinking<br>•&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Burney’s role in shaping Enlightenment views of music<br>•&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Strengths and limitations of his historical approach<br>•&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Burney’s legacy in later musicology and cultural history</p><p>•&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Understand Charles Burney’s importance as an early historian of music<br>•&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Identify the key themes, methods, and aims of his major writings<br>•&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Recognise how Burney’s travels contributed to his historical perspective<br>•&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Discuss the continuing influence of his work on modern music scholarship</p><p>- Sessions will comprise combinations of lecture, discussion, quizzes, guided listening, video and score study.&nbsp;<br>- Course materials (handouts, scores, links to online videos) will be shared via google classroom.<br>- You will be encouraged to do extra reading outside class.</p><p>Tutor presentation, guided listening and watching, class discussion.&nbsp;Course materials will be shared via Google Classroom, with recommendations to encourage further exploration after the course.</p><p>Please have a pen and notebook to make your own notes during class. You may 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 live performances.</p><p>City Lit offers a wide range of <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/music/music-history" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Music history courses</a>. For more information, visit our <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/blog/music-history-your-guide-our-programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Guide to the Music history programme</a>.&nbsp;</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
