The purpose of this course is to establish a basic understanding and knowledge of keyboard music from the late Baroque era (c.1700-c.1750) through the Classical era (c. 1750-c.1825). Students will study some of the most important composers of those times and some of their representative pieces. The most important objective is to learn the basic style characteristics of each composer and to understand how they transformed throughout their compositional careers. By the end of the course, the student will, hopefully, be able to understand the differences between, for example, a keyboard sonata of Franz Josef Haydn (1732-1809) and one by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791). They should also be have an understanding of how the compositional style of a composer such as Beethoven transformed throughout his career. The course will also discuss the various types of instruments used in the late Baroque and Classical eras and how they might effect the interpretations of modern performers. Not least, it is the purpose of this course to introduce the students to some of the great masterpieces of the keyboard literature. Aspects of structure, harmony and rhythm will be discussed in order that the students know why these works are both great and have endured throughout the centuries.

The purpose of this course is to establish a basic understanding and knowledge of keyboard music from the late Baroque era (c.1700-c.1750) through the Classical era (c. 1750-c.1825). Students will study some of the most important composers of those times and some of their representative pieces. The most important objective is to learn the basic style characteristics of each composer and to understand how they transformed throughout their compositional careers. By the end of the course, the student will, Hopefully, be able to understand the differences between, for example, a keyboard sonata of Franz Josef Haydn (1732-1809) and one by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791). They should also be have an understanding of how the compositional style of a composer such as Beethoven transformed throughout his career. The course will also discuss the various types of instruments used in the late Baroque and Classical eras and how they might effect the interpretations of modern performers. Not least, it is the purpose of this course to introduce the students to some of the great masterpieces of the keyboard literature. Aspects of structure, harmony and rhythm will be discussed in order that the students know why these works are both great and have endured throughout the centuries.

The Art of Keyboard Playing by C. P. E. Bach

The History of Keyboard Literature by Stewart Gordon

YouTube

Naxos Website

The Art of Keyboard Playing by C. P. E. Bach

The History of Keyboard Literature by Stewart Gordon

YouTube

Naxos Website