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 is part of the Exploring Piano Literature: The Piano Sonata Specialization
Offered By
Exploring Piano Literature: The Piano Sonata SpecializationUniversity of MichiganAbout this Course
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Shareable Certificate
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Course 2 of 3 in the
Intermediate Level
Approx. 12 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: English
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
Intermediate Level
Approx. 12 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: English
Offered by
University of Michigan
The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
1 hour to complete
Setting the Stage
In the first week, you'll be introduced to the course structure and to the fundamentals surrounding sonata form and the history of the genre.
1 hour to complete
5 videos (Total 29 min), 3 readings, 1 quiz
4 hours to complete
Ludwig van Beethoven
This week focuses solely on Ludwig van Beethoven. We will discuss matters of sonata theory, the developing piano, and the way that the piano sonata genre was transformed through his innovations. We will consider his sonata repertoire across three major periods.
4 hours to complete
10 videos (Total 96 min), 5 readings, 3 quizzes
4 hours to complete
Romantics
This week focuses on Romantic composers following Beethoven. First we consider the German tradition - Schubert, Mendelssohn, Schumann, and Brahms - and then the great pianist-virtuosi Chopin and Liszt. Throughout the week we will consider both traditional and innovative approaches to constructing Romantic piano sonatas.
4 hours to complete
9 videos (Total 109 min), 5 readings, 3 quizzes
2 hours to complete
Course Conclusion and Honors Track Formal Analysis
For more advanced learners, an Honors Formal Analysis is available in this final week (not required for completion of the course).
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.
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