Music Inspired by Stories

Everyone loves stories and composers are no exception. The result is that myths, legends, folklore and literature are translated into wordless music which appeals to us on another level. Symphonies, operas, tone poems, ballets and instrumental music introduce us to an array of characters and their stories. Literature gives us the rascal, Till Eulenspiegel in contrast to Faust who makes a pact with the Devil. The rite of Spring is based on primitive rituals while the origin of Belshazzar’s Feast is found in the Bible. Greek and Roman myths play their part. Let us enjoy the rich musical rewards of stories.

DELIVERY MODE

• Face-to-Face

COURSE OUTLINE

• Daphnis and Chloe, The Trojans, Dido and Aeneas, Orpheus– Ravel, Berlioz, Purcell, Monteverdi
• The Damnation of Faust – Liszt, Berlioz, Schubert.
• The Firebird, The Rite of Spring, Petrushka – Stravinsky.
• Peer Gynt, Till Eugenspiegel – Grieg, Strauss.
• Afternoon of a Faun, The Submerged Cathedral – Debussy.
• Scheherazade, Russian Easter Festival Overture – Rimsky-Korsakov.
• Belshazzar’s Feast - Walton

LEARNING OUTCOMES

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

1. Name five composers and one of their works.
2. Recount the stories on which five works are based.
3. Understand the role of Greek and Roman mythology in the music played.
4. Conversant with the Ballets Russes and name three ballets they produced.