The Symphony

Pre-requisites for enrolment

No previous knowledge required.

Content of Course

The Symphony will offer an informal history of the symphonic form, from its beginnings in the early Classical period to its development during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The day will include brief biographies of the main composers, lots of lively discussion and CD excerpts.

Morning:

1. Classical and Early Romantic Period: Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and others.

Afternoon:

2. Later Romantic and Nationalist Period: Schumann, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Dvorak, Sibelius and others.

Teaching method(s)

Illustrated lecture and discussion.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course the students should be able to:

• Discuss the importance of symphonies;

• Explain what makes a symphony ‘special’;

• Understand and begin to analyse the essential elements and structure of the symphonic form;

• Be acquainted with the biographies of some major composers.

Queries

If you have questions regarding the course or enrolment, please contact COL Reception at Paterson's Land by email COL@ed.ac.uk or by phone 0131 650 4400.

Student support

If you have a disability, learning difficulty or health condition which may affect your studies, please let us know by ticking the 'specific support needs' box on your course application form. This will allow us to make appropriate adjustments in advance and in accordance with your rights under the Equality Act 2010. For more information please visit the Student Support section of our website.