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"The piano—with its rich tonal resources, orchestral textures, and ability to convey both melody and harmony—has attracted great composers throughout its history. The result is a repertoire of keyboard works of astonishing size and scope, going far beyond that of any other musical instrument.
This phenomenal repertoire, which spans more than 300 years of Western music, includes many of classical music's most beloved masterpieces. Treasures of this tradition include:
• The Baroque-era genius of Johann Sebastian Bach, whose preludes and fugues, toccatas, and suites set the standard for keyboard writing.
• Sonatas, variations, and related piano works by Classical giants Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Joseph Haydn, Ludwig van Beethoven, and the transitional figure of Franz Schubert.
• Romantic masterworks ranging from Frederic Chopin's mazurkas, nocturnes, and ballades and Robert Schumann's multi-form piano works to Johannes Brahms's variations and glorious small-scale pieces, and Franz Liszt's virtuosic Hungarian Rhapsodies.
• At the turn of the 20th century, the mystical piano works of Aleksandr Scriabin, and the impressionistic textures of Claude Debussy's and Maurice Ravel's keyboard writing.
• A dazzling spectrum of 20th- and 21st-century piano music, pioneering new forms and new tonalities, from Arnold Schoenberg, Sergei Prokofiev, and Charles Ives to George Crumb, Florence Price, and George Walker, all of whom extended the expressive voice of the piano.
These works and many more form the piano literature that continues to move and enchant us; it comprises one of the most powerful legacies in Western art.
In Great Piano Works Explained, you'll dig deeply into this magnificent tradition, in a far-reaching exploration of the art of listening, seen from the bench of a pianist. In these 24 musically rich lectures, taught with passion and deep insight by Professor Catherine Kautsky of Lawrence University, you'll encounter the composers named above and more, finding your way to the heart of their extraordinary music for the piano.
Experience the Sublime Richness of the Piano Repertoire
In this illuminating course, Professor Kautsky coaches you in hearing and understanding the great works for the piano, with a special feature: In addition to her esteemed teaching, she is a celebrated pianist, and she demonstrates the works under discussion in real-time, at the keyboard, illustrating both excerpts and entire works through her own expressive and thoughtful playing.
With her inspired guidance, you'll highlight key works of each composer, and unpack their structure, the musical materials that drive them, and the specific features that affect listeners so strongly, giving you a clear grounding in how to approach and hear this great music.
Within the Baroque and Classical periods, you'll look in depth at works such as:
• Bach's Well Tempered Clavier and French Suite No. 5—Discover the radiant beauty of Bach's keyboard creations in the brilliant counterpoint of two fugues from the ""WTC,"" and in the emotional range of this vibrant dance suite.
• Mozart's Sonata in C Minor, K. 457—Hear the influence of opera in this intense and tempestuous sonata, where Mozart uses dialogue between opposing themes and magical key changes to transport the listener from joy to sorrow, and back again, in an ever-changing kaleidoscope of emotions.
• Beethoven's Sonata Opus 110—In this monumental late sonata, witness how Beethoven constructs the work as an unforgettable musical journey; study the majestic first movement, the dramatic Allegro molto, and the Arioso and great fugue that ends the sonata in triumphant affirmation.
• Schubert's Sonata in Bb, D. 960—This large-scale sonata, written in the last year of Schubert's life, features unforgettable themes and an intriguing dichotomy between keys. Tour the first movement: You'll love the melodies, and you'll see how one small trill gives rise to the harmonic plan of the entire work.
This phenomenal repertoire, which spans more than 300 years of Western music, includes many of classical music's most beloved masterpieces. Treasures of this tradition include:
• The Baroque-era genius of Johann Sebastian Bach, whose preludes and fugues, toccatas, and suites set the standard for keyboard writing.
• Sonatas, variations, and related piano works by Classical giants Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Joseph Haydn, Ludwig van Beethoven, and the transitional figure of Franz Schubert.
• Romantic masterworks ranging from Frederic Chopin's mazurkas, nocturnes, and ballades and Robert Schumann's multi-form piano works to Johannes Brahms's variations and glorious small-scale pieces, and Franz Liszt's virtuosic Hungarian Rhapsodies.
• At the turn of the 20th century, the mystical piano works of Aleksandr Scriabin, and the impressionistic textures of Claude Debussy's and Maurice Ravel's keyboard writing.
• A dazzling spectrum of 20th- and 21st-century piano music, pioneering new forms and new tonalities, from Arnold Schoenberg, Sergei Prokofiev, and Charles Ives to George Crumb, Florence Price, and George Walker, all of whom extended the expressive voice of the piano.
These works and many more form the piano literature that continues to move and enchant us; it comprises one of the most powerful legacies in Western art.
In Great Piano Works Explained, you'll dig deeply into this magnificent tradition, in a far-reaching exploration of the art of listening, seen from the bench of a pianist. In these 24 musically rich lectures, taught with passion and deep insight by Professor Catherine Kautsky of Lawrence University, you'll encounter the composers named above and more, finding your way to the heart of their extraordinary music for the piano.
Experience the Sublime Richness of the Piano Repertoire
In this illuminating course, Professor Kautsky coaches you in hearing and understanding the great works for the piano, with a special feature: In addition to her esteemed teaching, she is a celebrated pianist, and she demonstrates the works under discussion in real-time, at the keyboard, illustrating both excerpts and entire works through her own expressive and thoughtful playing.
With her inspired guidance, you'll highlight key works of each composer, and unpack their structure, the musical materials that drive them, and the specific features that affect listeners so strongly, giving you a clear grounding in how to approach and hear this great music.
Within the Baroque and Classical periods, you'll look in depth at works such as:
• Bach's Well Tempered Clavier and French Suite No. 5—Discover the radiant beauty of Bach's keyboard creations in the brilliant counterpoint of two fugues from the ""WTC,"" and in the emotional range of this vibrant dance suite.
• Mozart's Sonata in C Minor, K. 457—Hear the influence of opera in this intense and tempestuous sonata, where Mozart uses dialogue between opposing themes and magical key changes to transport the listener from joy to sorrow, and back again, in an ever-changing kaleidoscope of emotions.
• Beethoven's Sonata Opus 110—In this monumental late sonata, witness how Beethoven constructs the work as an unforgettable musical journey; study the majestic first movement, the dramatic Allegro molto, and the Arioso and great fugue that ends the sonata in triumphant affirmation.
• Schubert's Sonata in Bb, D. 960—This large-scale sonata, written in the last year of Schubert's life, features unforgettable themes and an intriguing dichotomy between keys. Tour the first movement: You'll love the melodies, and you'll see how one small trill gives rise to the harmonic plan of the entire work.
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