Selected Topics in Music Theory (335-0-1)
Topic
Mahler
Instructors
Richard D Ashley
847/491-5720
r-ashley@northwestern.edu
Office Hours: W 10-11 and by appt.
Professor, music theory and cognition program. Research and publications in music cognition focusing on expressive performance, musical communication, and long-term memory for music. President, Society for Music Perception and Cognition. Member, editorial board, Music Perception. Recipient of two Fulbright grants for research in the Netherlands and grants from National Endowment for the Humanities and U.S. Department of Education. Recipient, Bienen School of Music Exemplar in Teaching Award. Also teaches in the cognitive science program.
Meeting Info
RCMA 1-172: Tues, Thurs 11:00AM - 12:20PM
Overview of class
This class engages Mahler, Symphony #9, Mvts 1 and 4. This work overwhelms simpler and more traditional kinds of music analysis, as it also often overwhelms listeners. Our starting point: What would a listener in the early 20th century, not familiar with the latest developments in the world of orchestral composition, make of this work? How would she make use of not only discrete pitch structures but also orchestration, register, rhythm, and other parameters to guide her way into comprehending the music?
Registration Requirements
Minimum music theory background required is two years of undergraduate core theory.
Learning Objectives
The student will have developed their own model of form and process in these movements and learned new analytic approaches.
Teaching Method
In addition to the analyzing the scores and a reading a curated set of secondary readings, all students will need become adept in using the Sonic Visualiser computer program.
Evaluation Method
Grades will be assessed on daily homework (80%), attendance (a maximum of 10%), and class participation (a maximum of 10%). Two unexcused absences are allowed, after which each absence will lower the final grade by 5 points.
Class Materials (Required)
A full orchestral score of the work; a piano reduction may also be helpful to the student. These may be purchased or obtained free of charge on the internet. Readings will be posted on Canvas.