Music history bookclub: The Great Passion
The music history book club meets towards the end of each term to discuss novels and biographies with musical themes and references relevant to the music history programme.
Choose a starting date
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.
- Start Date: 12 Dec 2025End Date: 12 Dec 2025Fri (Daytime): 11:00 - 12:30OnlineFull fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £19.00
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 Great Passion: James Runcie
Published 2022, Bloomsbury
A novel that explores what it was like to sing Bach’s music for the first time. Read more about this book at: https://www.jamesruncie.com/the-great-passion
What will we cover?
- Biographical discussion about key events in the lives of the composer(s) featured in these stories
- Discussion of selected works mentioned in the book
- Critical reception of the book (reviews etc…)
- Our personal perceptions of this work
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 (e.g. presenting a featured work 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?
You will need a good internet connection and a computer with microphone & webcam. If using a tablet it will need a screen large enough for you to comfortably view the class handouts.
Please bring your copy of the chosen book to the session so that you can refer to it during discussions.
You may wish to bring a pen/pencil and a folder to keep notes. 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?
To find out more about music history classes <a href= https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/music/music-history target=_blank> 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.
Edward teaches music history and theory at City lit. His specialism is early music (medieval, renaissance and baroque) and he completed a 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 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.
