Music in the Weimar republic

What is the course about?

From Expressionism to Neue Sachlichkeit, and from opera to cabaret, this short period in history was bursting with new musical styles and compositions techniques reflecting its turbulent politics. The course will explore the role of music in the wider context of the Weimar Republic in the context of social, political and art history.

What will we cover?

1. Introduction to the Weimar Republic. This will include the aftermath of WW1, the turbulent political climate and the socio-economic barriers Germany faced.
2. Expressionism – This will focus on Expressionism in music, reflecting on composures of the 2nd Viennese School and Berg’s Wozzeck.
3. Neue Sachlichkeit – This will explore the emerging genre of the New Objectivity within the arts, placing it in a musical context.
4. Jazz and the Weimar Republic – This session will explore the influence of jazz on Weimar composers and the distinction between American Jazz and Weimar Jazz.
5. Cabaret – This will explore the cabaret scene in the Weimar Republic with references to popular culture, and literature from authors such as Christopher Isherwood.
6. Zeitoper – The new genre of opera, Zeitoper, or opera for the time, includes influences from all music studied in the previous sessions.
7. Case Study 1 – Ernst Krenek Jonny Spielt auf This Zeitoper is packed with Weimar influences such as media, jazz, and modernism.
8. Epic Opera - This will examine the collaboration of Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill.
9. Case study 2 - Brecht and Weill Der Dreigroschenoper. This session will explore the social context of the work and its Marxist connotations.
10. The aftermath – The course will conclude with an examination of life after the Republic and the impact of National Socialism on these composers, as many were forced into exile.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

- Form an overview of music in Germany from 1919-1935.
- Learn about new musical form specific to the Weimar Republic
- Place Weimar music into a political and socioeconomic context.
- Understand the role of music in Weimar culture by listening to music, watching opera, and examining primary sources.
- Observe the influences of new media in pushing the boundaries of composition in Weimar Germany (such as cinema and radio).

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This course is suitable for absolute beginners. Historical context will be provided as part of the course. There will be some examples of music scores, so the ability to read music is helpful, but not essential as the bulk of study will be around the aesthetics of the music. This course is suitable for anyone wanting to learn about the Weimar Republic, its music and wider culture.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

- Tutor presentation and explanation, including handouts
- Guided listening and watching of audio and audio-visual examples
- Class discussion and debate
- 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?

Please bring a notebook and pen.
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.