One was an award-winning star composer of the early 1900s; the other enjoyed a formidable reputation as a conductor and teacher through to the 1970s. Come and discover the remarkable tale of two sisters whose music and mentorship, in combination, shaped the development of a host of twentieth-century composers and yet are only now receiving their due as composers.
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The children of professional musical parents with the likes of Saint-Saëns, Gounod and Massenet as regular house guests, Lili and Nadia Boulanger were to enjoy very different careers as musicians themselves. Lili (1893-1918) was the first woman to win the illustrious Prix de Rome when she was twenty, but her untimely death just five years later had the effect of shaping her elder sister Nadia’s (1889-1979) own professional trajectory. A highly talented composer herself, Nadia became a famed teacher and conductor, touring internationally, and throwing herself into the promotion of Lili’s compositional legacy. We discuss the lives and musical achievements of both sisters and their considerable legacy.
What will we cover?
Biography and compositions of Lili Boulanger
Nadia Boulanger’s biography including her impact as a teacher, particularly of American composers
Nadia Boulanger’s compositions and her importance as a conductor and pianist of contemporary music
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Summarise the significance of Nadia’s work as a teacher
Identify key biographical moments in the lives of both Lili and Nadia
Appreciate the sisters’ differing compositional approaches and their connection to contemporary French music
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The course is suitable for students at many levels, and no special music-reading skills are needed. However, a basic interest and beginners’ knowledge of classical music is advised for context: (e.g. What is a symphony? Which instruments are in a string quartet? And what do we mean by the Romantic tradition?)
This course is most suitable for those who regularly listen to classical music, as they will be able to compare/contrast the works on this course with memories of famous pieces of western classical music.
If you identify as an absolute beginner with little or no previous experience of listening to western classical music, we recommend you first consider our Exploring classical music courses which will introduce you to a basic chronology of western classical music.
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 and listening outside class.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You may also wish to purchase some of the music books or recordings discussed in class, links to these materials will be available online in Google Classroom after each session.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
To find out more about music history classes please visit Music history: your guide to our programme, 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.
Dr Katy Hamilton is a freelance researcher, writer and presenter on music. She is fast becoming one of the UK’s most sought-after speakers on music, providing talks for a host of organisations including the Wigmore Hall, Southbank Centre, BBC Proms, Ryedale Festival and Oxford Lieder Festival. In addition, she regularly writes programme notes for the Salzburg Festival, North Norfolk Festival and the Philharmonia Orchestra, and is a frequent contributor to BBC Radio 3’s Record Review. Katy worked as Graham Johnson’s research assistant for his monumental Franz Schubert: The Songs and their Poets (Yale University Press, 2014) and is co-editor of Brahms in the Home and the Concert Hall (Cambridge University Press, 2014) and Brahms in Context (Cambridge University Press, 2019). In addition to her research and presentation work, Katy has taught at the Royal College of Music, City Lit, the University of Nottingham and Middlesex University, working with students in performance workshops and music history classes. She has been teaching Music History courses at City Lit since 2015. She is also Public Events Programmer at the Foundling Museum in central London.
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.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/the-music-of-the-boulangers-nadia-and-lili3034495The music of the Boulangers: Nadia and Lilihttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/Exploring-opera-3-MD999-1024.jpg149149GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Performing arts/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Music history/Courses/New courses228513141351136317431228513141351<p>One was an award-winning star composer of the early 1900s; the other enjoyed a formidable reputation as a conductor and teacher through to the 1970s. Come and discover the remarkable tale of two sisters whose music and mentorship, in combination, shaped the development of a host of twentieth-century composers and yet are only now receiving their due as composers. </p>003034336The music of the Boulangers: Nadia and Lili149149https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/Exploring-opera-3-MD999-1024.jpgInStockDaytimeTueKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2027-01-12T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allJan 2027Performing artsMD036B149149The music of the Boulangers: Nadia and Lili119104149Katy Hamiltonthe-music-of-the-boulangers-nadia-and-lili/md036b-2627<p>One was an award-winning star composer of the early 1900s; the other enjoyed a formidable reputation as a conductor and teacher through to the 1970s. Come and discover the remarkable tale of two sisters whose music and mentorship, in combination, shaped the development of a host of twentieth-century composers and yet are only now receiving their due as composers. </p>0000-Available|2027-01-12 00:00:00<p>The children of professional musical parents with the likes of Saint-Saëns, Gounod and Massenet as regular house guests, Lili and Nadia Boulanger were to enjoy very different careers as musicians themselves. Lili (1893-1918) was the first woman to win the illustrious Prix de Rome when she was twenty, but her untimely death just five years later had the effect of shaping her elder sister Nadia’s (1889-1979) own professional trajectory. A highly talented composer herself, Nadia became a famed teacher and conductor, touring internationally, and throwing herself into the promotion of Lili’s compositional legacy. We discuss the lives and musical achievements of both sisters and their considerable legacy.</p><p>One was an award-winning star composer of the early 1900s; the other enjoyed a formidable reputation as a conductor and teacher through to the 1970s. Come and discover the remarkable tale of two sisters whose music and mentorship, in combination, shaped the development of a host of twentieth-century composers and yet are only now receiving their due as composers. </p><ul><li>Biography and compositions of Lili Boulanger</li><li>Nadia Boulanger’s biography including her impact as a teacher, particularly of American composers</li><li>Nadia Boulanger’s compositions and her importance as a conductor and pianist of contemporary music</li></ul><ul><li>Summarise the significance of Nadia’s work as a teacher </li><li>Identify key biographical moments in the lives of both Lili and Nadia </li><li>Appreciate the sisters’ differing compositional approaches and their connection to contemporary French music</li></ul><p>The course is suitable for students at many levels, and no special music-reading skills are needed. However, a basic interest and beginners’ knowledge of classical music is advised for context: (e.g. What is a symphony? Which instruments are in a string quartet? And what do we mean by the Romantic tradition?)</p><p>This course is most suitable for those who regularly listen to classical music, as they will be able to compare/contrast the works on this course with memories of famous pieces of western classical music.</p><p>If you identify as an absolute beginner with little or no previous experience of listening to western classical music, we recommend you first consider our <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/searchcourse/?q=exploring+classical+music" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Exploring classical music courses</a> which will introduce you to a basic chronology of western classical music.</p><p>Sessions will comprise combinations of lecture, discussion, quizzes, guided listening, video and score study.<br>Course materials (handouts, scores, links to online videos) will be shared via Google Classroom.<br>You will be encouraged to do extra reading and listening outside class.</p><p>You may also wish to purchase some of the music books or recordings discussed in class, links to these materials will be available online in Google Classroom after each session.</p><p>To find out more about music history classes please visit <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/blog/music-history-your-guide-our-programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Music history: your guide to our programme</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.</p>MusicMusic historyvirtual119149104MD036BNONETue12/01/27 - 09/02/2710:30 - 12:3010:3012:305 sessions (over 5 weeks)55-10 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetKaty HamiltonBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2027-01-12T00:00:00+00:00Jan 2027Performing arts149149The music of the Boulangers: Nadia and Lilithe-music-of-the-boulangers-nadia-and-lili/md036b-2627<p>One was an award-winning star composer of the early 1900s; the other enjoyed a formidable reputation as a conductor and teacher through to the 1970s. Come and discover the remarkable tale of two sisters whose music and mentorship, in combination, shaped the development of a host of twentieth-century composers and yet are only now receiving their due as composers. </p>0000-Available|2027-01-12 00:00:00<p>The children of professional musical parents with the likes of Saint-Saëns, Gounod and Massenet as regular house guests, Lili and Nadia Boulanger were to enjoy very different careers as musicians themselves. Lili (1893-1918) was the first woman to win the illustrious Prix de Rome when she was twenty, but her untimely death just five years later had the effect of shaping her elder sister Nadia’s (1889-1979) own professional trajectory. A highly talented composer herself, Nadia became a famed teacher and conductor, touring internationally, and throwing herself into the promotion of Lili’s compositional legacy. We discuss the lives and musical achievements of both sisters and their considerable legacy.</p><p>One was an award-winning star composer of the early 1900s; the other enjoyed a formidable reputation as a conductor and teacher through to the 1970s. Come and discover the remarkable tale of two sisters whose music and mentorship, in combination, shaped the development of a host of twentieth-century composers and yet are only now receiving their due as composers. </p><ul><li>Biography and compositions of Lili Boulanger</li><li>Nadia Boulanger’s biography including her impact as a teacher, particularly of American composers</li><li>Nadia Boulanger’s compositions and her importance as a conductor and pianist of contemporary music</li></ul><ul><li>Summarise the significance of Nadia’s work as a teacher </li><li>Identify key biographical moments in the lives of both Lili and Nadia </li><li>Appreciate the sisters’ differing compositional approaches and their connection to contemporary French music</li></ul><p>The course is suitable for students at many levels, and no special music-reading skills are needed. However, a basic interest and beginners’ knowledge of classical music is advised for context: (e.g. What is a symphony? Which instruments are in a string quartet? And what do we mean by the Romantic tradition?)</p><p>This course is most suitable for those who regularly listen to classical music, as they will be able to compare/contrast the works on this course with memories of famous pieces of western classical music.</p><p>If you identify as an absolute beginner with little or no previous experience of listening to western classical music, we recommend you first consider our <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/searchcourse/?q=exploring+classical+music" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Exploring classical music courses</a> which will introduce you to a basic chronology of western classical music.</p><p>Sessions will comprise combinations of lecture, discussion, quizzes, guided listening, video and score study.<br>Course materials (handouts, scores, links to online videos) will be shared via Google Classroom.<br>You will be encouraged to do extra reading and listening outside class.</p><p>You may also wish to purchase some of the music books or recordings discussed in class, links to these materials will be available online in Google Classroom after each session.</p><p>To find out more about music history classes please visit <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/blog/music-history-your-guide-our-programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Music history: your guide to our programme</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.</p>MusicMusic historyconfigurable
13631351Music historyhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/music/music-history1/2/285/1314/1351/13631/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Music history
