Listening to the 20th century 2
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- Start Date: 13 Jan 2026End Date: 24 Mar 2026Tue (Daytime): 13:30 - 15:30In PersonLocation: Keeley StreetDuration: 10 sessions (over -11 weeks)Course Code: MD612BTutors: Edward HendersonFull fee £269.00 Senior fee £215.00 Concession £188.00
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What is the course about?
Using Alex Ross’s The Rest is Noise as a guide this course investigates art music in the second half of the twentieth century. This module covers the music of the Cold War culture wars, American experimental music, Minimalism and the use of technology.
What will we cover?
We will explre: Music after World War II, High Modernism, IRCAM and music and computer technology, Experimental music, Minimalism, music in the UK, Cold War culture wars. We’ll look at composers like Stockhausen, Ligeti, Messiaen, Britten, Cage, Cardew, Reich and Glass.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Identify key musical tropes in the first half of the twentieth century
- Demonstrate familiarity with a wide range of works
- Understand more about the historical contexts for the big changes in musical language in this period.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
You do not need any particular skills just an interest in thinking about a wide range of different types of music critically.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
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.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
A copy of The Rest is Noise by Alex Ross would be useful but it is not essential to purchase this book.
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.
Edward is a composer who studied at Cambridge and Trinity Laban. He teaches composition and music history at City Lit, Morley College and Trinity Laban Junior Department, and writes about music for The Wire (UK) and Positionen (Germany). His latest work includes a commission for the London Contemporary Music Festival 2024. Previous significant work includes “Flower” (recorded by the BBC at the Aldeburgh Festival 2019 and broadcast on the New Music Show), “One Two” (Cologne 2022), Will (Oslo and Cambridge), “Hold” (Huddersfield 2017), and “Tape Piece” ( LCMF 2015). Since 2013 Ed has worked with Bastard Assignments curating, performing and contributing work to regular shows in London and internationally. Their performances at Southbank Centre (2016) and Wellcome Collection (2017) were broadcast live on BBC Radio 3, and they have featured in articles in the Guardian, Telegraph, Financial Times, Frieze, and Neue Zeitschrift für Musik. In 2024 a profile on the group, “Family Dynamics,” was broadcast in Germany. They have been commissioned for a large scale performance in Norway, Denmark and London in 2025 and 2026, and “House” for Musik Installationen Nürnberg in 2025.
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.
