03507 - Musical theory

Learning outcomes

This course focuses on the fundamental concepts of musical theory in the Western world, and the written and artistic music tradition from 17th to 20 th century in particular. Students are taught the principle elements of the musical language and learn to identify them by guided listenings.

Course contents

The course is divided in two parts (50 hours the first one, 10 hours the second = totally 12 CFU). Furthermore students are invited to follow the propedeutical training for the "libretto di sala".

First part: The verbal description of  music: questions, methods and aims. Symphonies in F by L. van Beethoven: no 6 op. 68 (“Pastoral Symphony”) and no 8 op. 93.

Second part: The figural description of music: Beethoven's music in Schulz' Peanuts.

The course is open to students from all the courses. Any students wishing to be introduced to musical language is very welcome, regardless of their previous musical experience.

The course will emphasize the cultural, social and ethic functions of music in any society.

The course has two main purposes. The first is to outline the musical theory of the Western world with particular reference to terminology and cultural and historical contexts. The second is to teach students how to listen, recognize and describe in an appropriate language a musical composition from artistic repertory. Students will be introduced to the main points of musical language - melody, rhythm, scales, polyphony, harmony, genres and forms. Through guided listening will be introduced to European artistic repertory from 17th to 20 th century. Furthermore, students will be introduced to write a "libretto di sala".

Subjects of the first part:

• Pluralism in music and how we think music.
• Boethius: the three kinds of music, the quadrivium and the musician.
• Some historical hints about musical theory form Middle Age to Modern Age.
• The verbal description of music: melody, rhythm, tonality, scales, polyphony, harmony, genres and forms.
• Historical introduction, guided listening and 'close encounters' with the musical score and its problems: Symphony no. 6 op. 68 and no. 8 op. 93 by L. van Beethoven.
• What is a "libretto di sala"? How learn to write a "libretto di sala".

 

Subjects of the second part:

• Sparki Schulz as a  listener of classical music.
• His biographical events linked to the classical music and its listening and appreciation.
• Beethoven's music in Schulz' Peanuts: documnts, questions, aims.
• Schulz' Peanuts are a cultural musical heritage today?

 

Readings/Bibliography

First part

a)

F.A. Gallo, Premessa a Per una storia dei popoli senza note, a cura di P. Dessì, Bologna, Clueb, 2010, pp. 7-10.

J.J. Nattiez, Pluralità e diversità del sapere musicale, in Enciclopedia della musica, II: Il sapere musicale, a cura di M. Bent, Torino, Einaudi, 2002, pp. xxiii-xlix.

D. Restani, Le radici antropologiche dell'estetica boeziana: anima humana e musica humana, in Le fonti dell'estetica musicale. Nuove prospettive storiche, Atti del convegno (Venezia, 26-28 ottobre 2006),  a cura di M. Semi, «Musica e Storia», XV, 2007, pp. 243-258.

G. Rico, La formazione musicale nell'ambito del Quadrivium, in Enciclopedia della musica, IV: Storia della musica europea, a cura di M. Bent, Torino, Einaudi, 2004, pp. 118-129.

H. Powers, La melodia, in Enciclopedia della musica, II: Il sapere musicale, cit., pp. 25-44.

K. Agawu, Il ritmo, in Enciclopedia della musica, II: Il sapere musicale, cit., pp. 45-71.

N. Meeùs, Scale, polifonia, armonia, in Enciclopedia della musica, II: Il sapere musicale, cit., pp. 72-88.

N. Cook, Forma e sintassi, in Enciclopedia della musica, II: Il sapere musicale, cit., pp. 117-142.

b)

S. Burnham, Il fattore Beethoven, in Enciclopedia della musica, IV: Storia della musica europea, cit., pp. 765-781.

G. Pestelli, L'età di Mozart e di Beethoven, Storia della musica, vol. 6, Torino, EdT, 1991: il capitolo su Beethoven.

Beeethoven, a cura di G. Pestelli, Bologna, il Mulino, 1988.

Beethoven e il suo tempo, a cura di C. Dalhaus, Torino, Edt, 1990.

N. Cook, Musica. Una breve introduzione, trad. it., Torino, EdT, 2005.

For the first part of the course students must have an edition of Symphony no. 6 “Pastoral” and no. 8 by Ludwig van Beethoven.

Further suggested listenings and bibliography will be given during the course.

Students who cannot attend the lessons must contact the teacher for further listenings and bibliography: anyway they are requested to study all the bibliography at the point a) and two texts under the point b).Other suggested readings:

F. Tammaro, Con il senso e con la ragione. La teoria musicale prima della tonalità, Torino, il Capitello, 2003.

L. Azzaroni, Canone infinito. Lineamenti di teoria della musica, Bologna, Clueb, 2001 (seconda ed.).

Second part: only suggested readings from D. Michaelis, Schulz and Peanuts. A biography, Harper and Collins, 2007.

Teaching methods

Audiovisuals, pc, films and listening will be used during the lessons. Individual tutoring may be provided.

Assessment methods

Oral exam.

Agenda of exams in progress.

Palazzo Corradini
Tel. 0544 936900

Teaching tools

Audiovisuals, pc, films and stereo.

Links to further information

http:// http://www.sjsu.edu/beethoven

Office hours

See the website of Donatella Restani