This course is part of the Exploring Piano Literature: The Piano Sonata Specialization

Matthew Bengtson

Offered By

Exploring Piano Literature: The Piano Sonata SpecializationUniversity of Michigan

About this Course

In this course, learners will review sonata form and learn how the piano sonata was taken to new heights by Ludwig van Beethoven. We’ll discover together how the generation that followed interpreted Beethoven’s achievements and put them into practice in their own unique ways. From there, we will explore the “War of the Romantics”: the variety of formal structures for Romantic sonatas (both traditional and progressive) and the major repertoire of this era. You’ll hear some of the important pianos of the time, and understand the differences between Viennese and English/French traditions of piano music. 
This course was filmed at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance, among other locations, to showcase the depth of the sonata repertoire and the instruments that contributed to its history.

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Course 2 of 3 in the

Exploring Piano Literature: The Piano Sonata Specialization

Intermediate Level

Approx. 12 hours to complete

English

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Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Course 2 of 3 in the

Exploring Piano Literature: The Piano Sonata Specialization

Intermediate Level

Approx. 12 hours to complete

English

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

Instructor

Matthew Bengtson

Assistant Professor of Music, Piano Literature

School of Music, Theatre & Dance

2,188 Learners

3 Courses

Offered by

University of Michigan

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Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Week1

Week 1

1 hour to complete

Setting the Stage

1 hour to complete

5 videos (Total 29 min), 3 readings, 1 quiz

Week2

Week 2

4 hours to complete

Ludwig van Beethoven

4 hours to complete

10 videos (Total 96 min), 5 readings, 3 quizzes

10 videos

Beethoven's 32 Sonatas: Social Context and Musical Influences8mLater Viennese Piano2mSonata op. 2 no. 1 in F minor8mEarly Fermatas in Beethoven1mSonata op. 13 in C minor "Pathetique"15mSonata op. 31 no. 2 in D minor "Tempest"20m5.5 Octave Piano2mSonata op. 53 in C major "Waldstein"13mGraf Piano5mSonata op. 110 in A-flat major17m

5 readings

Beethoven: Theoretical Matters10mEarly Period (1795-1800)10mTransitional Period (1800-1802)10mMiddle Period (1803-1810)10mLate Period (1814 and Beyond)10m

3 practice exercises

Beethoven: Theoretical and Social Context and Early Sonatas30mTransitional and Middle Periods30mBeethoven Sonatas: Late Period and Wrap-Up30m

Week3

Week 3

4 hours to complete

Romantics

4 hours to complete

9 videos (Total 109 min), 5 readings, 3 quizzes

9 videos

Clementi, Dussek, Weber, and Hummel5mSchubert's "Little" A major Sonata, D. 66410mSchubert's "Great" A major Sonata D. 95919mSchumann Sonatas7mSchumann's Sonata no. 2 in G minor11mBrahms's Sonata no. 3 in F minor12mÉrard Piano2mChopin's Sonata no. 3 in B minor13mLiszt's Sonata in B minor24m

5 readings

Franz Schubert (1797-1828)10mRomantic Sonatas: Stylistic Context10mJohannes Brahms (1833-1897)10mFrédéric Chopin (1810-1849)5mFranz Liszt (1811-1886)10m

3 practice exercises

The Early 19th Century: Virtuosi & Schubert30mRomantic Sonatas: Stylistic Context, Schumann, and Brahms30mChopin & Liszt30m

Week4

Week 4

2 hours to complete

Course Conclusion and Honors Track Formal Analysis

2 hours to complete

4 readings

About the Exploring Piano Literature: The Piano Sonata Specialization

In this 3-course specialization, learners will analyze important passages and components of the piano sonata repertoire, while gaining a solid knowledge of the sonata’s inner workings and a better sense of historical developments in the genre. Across the series, learners will dive into compositions by Scarlatti, CPE Bach, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Brahms, Chopin, Liszt, Scriabin, Medtner, Rachmaninov, Prokofiev, and others.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

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The Piano Sonata: Beethoven and the Romantics

About this Course