Musical interpretation and performance
- Course Code: MD027
- Dates: 30/04/25 - 09/07/25
- Time: 14:00 - 16:00
- Taught: Wed, Daytime
- Duration: 10 sessions (over 11 weeks)
- Location: Keeley Street
- Tutor: Cheslav Singh
Course Code: MD027
Duration: 10 sessions (over 11 weeks)
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 aspect of music, how the personality performing the music affects audiences’ reception is often ignored in music appreciation. Here elements left to the discretion of the interpreter of music, various problems with interpretation and elements that can potentially be used to discuss particular performances rather than actual musical material are explored.
What will we cover?
- By delineating and defining various elements and exploring some of the great personalities of classical musical performance of the past and present, students will learn to more precisely define what criteria can be used to describe performance, as well as to further develop their musical tastes.
- Repertoire discussed will include excerpts of the classical Sonatas of Beethoven and Mozart, various works by Bach, Wagner, Chopin, Mahler and others
- Musical personalities discussed will include Glenn Gould, Arthur Rubinstein, Sviatoslav Richter, Leonard Bernstein, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Lang Lang, Yuja Wang, Arturo Toscanini, Ignaz Friedmann, Nikolaus Harnoncourt and many others
- This course will also briefly look into the ‘period’ instruments trend.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- understand by which criteria performances/performers can be judged
- able to distinguish different performances/performers, and classify them according to personal taste
- understand and appreciate the role of musicians
- garner an understanding of the history of the development of performances practices.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is designed as an overview for beginners. However, we will look at some notated music and learn to identify key features of (e.g. how many parts there are singing, where pitch goes up and down) so this course designed for those who are curious and ambitious to learn.
You need to be able to follow written and verbal instructions and engage in class discussion in English, and to take your own notes.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught using a range of techniques including short lectures, slide shows and discussions, practical demonstrations on the piano and guided listening and watching sessions. Courses use a variety of materials including YouTube clips. Links to these are provided so that further exploration may take place between classes if you wish. Occasional short preparation tasks, such as listening to a piece, watching a film clip, or reading about a performer may be set from time to time. Listening and reading outside class is encouraged and further online resources will be available via Google Classroom.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Please bring a notebook and pen.
You may wish to buy some of the music or books recommended in class.
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.
Cheslav has performed internationally as a pianist at renowned venues, on radio and television in many different contexts, playing everything from Beethoven to free jazz. Since 2011, he has been actively involved in contemporary classical music, having co- founded the audiovisual group a=b=x=y. As s composer he has written in genres ranging from solo pieces to works for symphony orchestra. He is also the co-founder of Our 'PL'ace Foundation, through which, among other activities, he co-curates an annual International Audiovisual Art Festival. As an educator, he is the author of two academic courses on music appreciation, based on the methodology set out by Dr Craig White of Yale University. Cheslav remains active in searching for extended playing techniques on the border between acoustic and electronic music, plays the organ, has a keen interest in tuning systems and is an active student and researcher of Gurba¯n?i¯ San?gi¯ta, having had the immense fortune of being able to work with and for its foremost exponent Bhai Baldeep Singh since 2013.
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.
