An exploration of western music from 1500 to the present day; the
composers, the instruments and the music, familiar and unfamiliar.
No musical knowledge or experience required, just bring your ears
and an open mind!
10
monthly sessions: 20 Sep, 18 Oct, 15 Nov, 17 Jan, 21 Feb, 20 Mar,
17 Apr, 15 May, 19 Jun, 10 Jul.
Each session
we'll explore a different topic:
20th September - Introduction
Sampling the various musical genres we'll be featuring during the
year, with works by Byrd, Haydn, Beethoven, Chopin, Brahms, Elgar,
Stravinsky, Bartok and Britten.
18th October - The Orchestra
Discovering how the orchestra has developed and expanded from the
17th to 20th centuries, with music by Purcell, Rameau, Berlioz, Mahler,
Debussy and Vaughan Williams.
15th November - Woodwind
The woodwind's importance in the orchestra increased from the middle
of the 18th century. Flute, oboe, clarinet and bassoon added colour
and texture to the string ensemble. We hear works by Vivaldi, Albinoni,
Dvorak, Finzi and Nielsen.
Further topics will include choral
music, brass instruments, keyboard instruments, music for dancing,
and much more.