Music history book club
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
- Course Code: MD615C
- Dates: 19/07/24 - 19/07/24
- Time: 11:00 - 12:30
- Taught: Fri, Daytime
- Duration: 1 session
- Location: Online
- Tutor: Edward Breen
Course Code: MD615C
Duration: 1 session
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 term’s book is:
The Jewels of Paradise: Donna Leon
Published 2013, Arrow
The "lost" papers of a (real) minor Baroque composer cause shenanigans in present day Venice. A very good read, with many musical examples.
Please read the book in advance and come prepared to chat about it.
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?
- Baroque music: features of
- Specific baroque musical developments in Venice
- Women composers in baroque music history
- Critical reception of the book (reviews etc…)
- Working in archives
- Our personal perceptions of this book.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- discuss one or two themes in the book with confidence
- voice opinions with fellow music enthusiasts
- discuss related works (films inspired by the book, or other similar books).
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
- This book club meeting is suitable for absolute beginners. You don’t need to know lots about music to join in. However, we do ask that you read the book (or as much of it as possible) so that you can join in the discussions.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The single session will comprise combinations of mini-lecture, question-and-answer, guided listening, video and much discussion. The tutor may lead on topics (perhaps discussing a work mentioned in more detail) which the book club students will then discuss. At all times you are encouraged to present your own opinions and knowledge to the group and join in thoughtful and respectful discussion.
You may wish to enjoy extra reading after this class and suggestions will be listed on google classroom afterwards.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Please bring your copy of the chosen book to the session so that you can refer to it during discussions.
You may also wish to purchase some of the other music books or recordings discussed in class, links to these materials will be available online after the session.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Music history book club is scheduled towards the end of each term.
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 teaches music history and music theory at City lit where he is Head of Programme: Advanced Studies in the School of Performing Arts. His specialism is early music (medieval, renaissance and baroque periods) and he completed his PhD in historical musicology at King's College London (2013) on the performance of medieval music. Outside of teaching, Edward is a regular contributor to Gramophone magazine and has lectured for Dartington International Summer School, London's Southbank Centre and The British Library. He has also worked as a researcher for BBC Proms and written for the journal Early Music (OUP). His recent essays are published in: The Cambridge Encyclopaedia of Historical Performance in Music, (Cambridge University Press); The Montpellier Codex: Studies in Medieval and Renaissance Music 16 (Boydell Press); Recomposing the Past: Representations of Early Music on Stage and Screen (Ashgate 2018); and 30-Second Classical Music (Ivy Press).
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.
