Course Information

 

Art of Listening, Summer 2016

JFRC: Summer Session II July 2 - 30, 2016

 

Catalog:                                 MUSC 101R, Music: Art of Listening

Meeting:                                T / TH: 8:30AM - 12:40PM

Instructor:                             Anthony Molinaro (amolinaro@luc.edu)

 

 

Textbooks and Class Resources

 

Experience Music, fourth edition (Katherine Charlton)

 

This course will utilize Sakai. Assignments, announcements, grades, online links and more will routinely be posted, but students should not expect Sakai to be a suitable replacement for class attendance.

 

YouTube will also be used extensively.

 

 

Course Description

 

Art of Listening will focus on the acquisition and enhancement of listening skills through direct experience of musical works along with an examination of cross-cultural similarities and differences among musical styles. As part of the curriculum for the Rome Studies Minor, this course will highlight Italian artists and composers; and include focuses and goals as follows:

 

•       A principal focus on classical, medieval, modern Italian or European music that implicates, at least in part, cultural patterns and ideas originating from or inspired by Rome or ‘Roman’ models.

 

•       A principal focus on the city of Rome as the site of creation, inspiration, or reproduction of artistic, cultural, political, and historical events, models, or concepts.

 

•       A principal focus on Italy emphasizing its geographical, historical, or cultural connections with the larger European or Mediterranean contexts.

 

•       A principal goal of equipping students to identify patterns, ideas, concepts, and trends characteristic of Western civilization originating in Italy and intersecting with other cultural traditions across time and space.

 

•       A principal goal of teaching students about culture and history in a manner designed to empower students to participate in activism for social justice and transformative learning, particularly through experiential or on-site learning.

 

Some of the musicians and styles to be studied will include (Italian artists bold)

 

•   Johann Sebastian Bach (baroque period)

•   Antonio Vivaldi and Domenico Scarlatti (baroque period)

•   Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig Van Beethoven (classical / romantic period)

•   Giuseppe Verdi and Giacomo Puccini (opera / romantic period)

•   Frédéric Chopin (romantic period)

•   Claude Debussy (impressionistic period)

•   Ennio Morricone and Nino Rota (Italian film composers)

•   George Gershwin (American classical music and early jazz)

•   Miles Davis, Stefano Bollani, and Rosario Giuliani (jazz)

•   Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Paco de Lucía, Cesaria Evora, and Tito Puente (world)

•   Romolo Balzani, Gabriella Ferri, Claudio Baglioni, and Luciano Pavarotti (Italian folk and popular music)

 

Students must attend two concerts and - though there are many free concerts in Rome during the summer - students may have to purchase tickets for these events (please reserve approximately €30 total for concerts). Students will also have the option to attend two additional concerts for extra credit.

 

Knowledge Area: Artistic Expression and Experience

 

Area learning outcome: The study of art fosters a search for truth and a respect for the human person. Artistic expression and knowledge in the core curriculum encourages students to develop critical habits of the mind and ethical standards of behavior in their preparation for life. The core curriculum provides students with the opportunity to engage in the arts, through creative processes as well as through formal study; and to explore non-linear modes of thinking, problem-solving and expression.

 

Specific course outcome: A cultivation of musical perception through a process of repeated and guided listenings; strengthening of listening skills while developing and expanding styles perspectives.

 

 

Grading

 

A = 100-93; A- = 92-90; B+ = 89-87; B = 86-83; B- 82-80; C+ = 79-77; C = 76-73; C- = 72-70; D = 69-60; F = Below 59

 

Graded components of Art of Listening:

 

•   Final Examination (500)

•   Midterm Examination (300)

•   Test (200)

•   Two Listening Quizzes: 50 points each (100)

•   Paper (300)

•   Concert Attendance: 50 points each (100)

•   Extra Credit Concert Attendance (up to two additional concerts): 25 points each

 

Total Points = 1,500

 

 

Paper (300)

 

Topics for consideration will grow from in-class discussions and will be announced no later than July 15. Further details will be provided at that time, but papers should be 3-5 pages in length (800 word minimum) and are due by July 28. The focus of the paper will be on your own personal thoughts on the chosen composition(s).

Two Listening Quizzes (100)

 

A 50 point quiz will be given on July 14th and 26th (please note that a listening section will also be part of the Midterm and Final Exams). The quizzes will focus on the identification of musical works studied in class, but may also include a few questions from assigned readings and class discussions. The quizzes will take place at the beginning of class and are very short. The listening material will be highlighted on the “listening table” and posted on Sakai.

 

 

Concert Attendance (100)

 

Students must attend two concerts. There are endless concerts in Rome in July and a host of possibilities will be provided for you at the beginning of the session. We will hopefully turn one of these into a class trip where we will go out to dinner first and perhaps explore different parts of the city in addition to the

concert. You may attend up to two additional concerts for extra credit (25 points each). Concerts should be in line with the type of music that we are studying in class. Please feel free to ask me about a concert you plan to attend.

 

 

Attendance and Participation

 

Attendance and participation are crucial elements to making the class a meaningful and dynamic experience. Students with more than one unexcused absence will have their final grade lowered by 5 percentage points. Each additional absence will incur an additional 5 percentage point penalty. Students who miss a part of a class will be penalized accordingly. Class participation will factor into your grade.

 

 

Disclaimer and Academic Integrity

 

The instructor reserves the right to modify this syllabus if circumstances warrant. Students will be notified of any changes in a timely manner. Students are also responsible for reading and abiding by the University's statement on academic integrity. It is posted at: http://www.luc.edu/academics/catalog/ undergrad/reg_academicintegrity.shtml

 

*** Note: Students will receive a zero on any assignment, project or exam on which they are found to be in deliberate violation of the University’s policy on Academic Integrity. Please read it carefully.

 

 

Cell Phones and Computers

 

Please refrain from using cell phones, iPads, laptop computers, or similar devices during class. Texting will not be tolerated during class.

Course Outline

 

 

 

Week 1

 

July 5 - Course introduction; Chapter 1: Elements of Music: Sound, Rhythm, Melody, and Harmony (pg.

4-11); Chapter 2: Elements That Structure Music: Key, Texture, and Form (pg. 12-16); Chapter 3: Musical

Instruments and Ensembles (pg. 17-27).

 

July 7 - Prelude: The Triumph of Baroque Style (pg. 62-64); Chapter 7: Cantata (pg. 74-80); Chapter 8: Oratorio (pg. 81-89); Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) - “Wachet auf” (“Sleepers Awake”); George Friederic Handel (1685-1759) - “Hallelujah” from Messiah. Chapter 9: Baroque Solo and Chamber Music (pg. 90-98); J.S. Bach - “The Little Fugue in G Minor;” J.S. Bach - Cello Suite No. I in G Major, Prelude; J.S. Bach - Air “On The G-String;” Domenico Scarlatti (1685 - 1757) - select keyboard sonatas; Chapter

10: The Baroque Orchestra (pg. 99-109); Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) - “Spring” from The Four

Seasons; MusiCurious: Attending a Concert.

 

Week 2

 

July 12 - Test; Prelude: The Classical Era: Reason and Revolution (pg. 110-113); Chapter 11: The Classical Symphony (pages 114-125); Chapter 14: Classical Vocal Music (pg. 140-148); Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) - Symphony No. 40 in G Minor, Movement I; “Non più andrai” from The Marriage of Figaro.

 

July 14 - Quiz #1; Chapter 15: The Music of Beethoven (pg. 149-161); Beethoven (1770-1827) - Symphony No. 9, Movement IV, (“Ode to Joy”); Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Movement I; Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 27, No. 2, Movement I (“Moonlight”). Giuseppe Verdi (1813 - 1901) - selections from Rigoletto and La Traviata; Giacomo Puccini (1858 - 1924) - selections from Tosca and La Bohème.

 

Week 3

 

July 19 - Midterm Exam; Italian film composers: Nino Rota (1911 - 1979) - excerpts from The Godfather I  & II (Coppola); La Strada, La Dolce Vita, 8 1/2 (Fellini); Ennio Morricone (1928) - excerpts from Cinema Pardiso and Malèna (Tornatore); The Untouchables (De Palma); Prelude: American Innovations in the Arts (pg. 274-278); Chapter 31: Early Jazz Styles (pg. 288-299); MusiCurious: Improvisation (pg. 292).  Chapter 32: Developments in Jazz in the Late Twentieth Century (pg. 300-306); Miles Davis, Kind of Blue (album); Miles Davis, Bitches Brew (album).

 

July 21 - Excerpts from Jazz: A Film by Ken Burns. To include episode 9 “The Adventure” 1956-1961. Chapter 33: American Classical Music influenced by Early Jazz (pg. 307-313); George Gershwin

(1898-1937) - Rhapsody in Blue. Italian Jazz Musicians (selections to be announced): Stefano Bollani

(piano), Rosario Giuliani (saxophone), Stefano di Battista (saxophone).

 

Week 4

 

July 26 - Quiz #2; Prelude: Music of The Romantic Era (pg. 162-165); Chapter 17: Romantic Piano Music (pg. 176-181). Frédéric Chopin (1811-1886) - Nocturne, Op. 9, No. 2; Chapter 26: Impressionism and Symbolism (pg. 247-252); Claude Debussy (1862-1918) - Claire De Lune. Chapter 27: Primitivism and Neoclassicism (pg. 253-260); Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971) - The Right of Spring.

 

July 28 - Contemporary Masters: Stevie Wonder (LIVE DVD); Ray Charles; Esperanza Spalding; Cesaria Evora; Paco de Lucía; Richard Bona; Tito Puente. Italian folk and popular musicians (selections to be announced): Romolo Balzani, Tiziano Ferro, Gabriella Ferri, Claudio Baglioni, and Luciano Pavarotti.

 

July 29 - Final Exam.

Listening Table (Example)

 

A listening table similar to the one below will be posted on Sakai and updated as needed. It will allow you to easily find the music that we discuss in class. Works that you will need to identify for quizzes and exams will be highlighted. Links are provided for YouTube videos. The table below is an example - please consult the listening table posted on Sakai for an updated list of the pieces you are expected to know.

 

Composer / Artist	Title of Piece	Experience Music	YouTube & Grooveshark
J.S. Bach	The Little Fugue in G Minor	CD 1 Track 7
J.S. Bach	Air “On The G-String”		Grooveshark
J.S. Bach	Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major, Mvt. I		Grooveshark
Antonio Vivaldi	“Spring” from The Four Seasons	CD 1 Track 8
Domenico Scarlatti	Sonata in E Major, K330		You Tube
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart	Symphony No. 40 in G Minor, Mvt. I	CD 1 Track 13
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart	“Non piu andrai” from The Marriage of Figaro	CD 1 Track 37
Ludvig Van Beethoven	Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Mvt. I	CD 1 Track 38
Ludvig Van Beethoven	Symphony No. 9, Mvt. IV “Ode to Joy”		You Tube (1) You Tube (2) You Tube (3)
Ludvig Van Beethoven	“Moonlight” Piano Sonata, Mvt. I		Grooveshark
Ludvig Van Beethoven	Piano Concerto No. 5, “Emperor,” Mvt. II		Grooveshark
Giacomo Puccini	“Nessun Dorma” from Turandot (Luciano Pavarotti)		You Tube
George Gershwin	Rhapsody in Blue		Grooveshark
Frederic Chopin	Nocturne, Op. 9, No. 2	CD 1 Track 45
Hector Berlioz	Symphonie Fantastique, “Dream of a Witches’ Sabath”	CD 2 Track 1
Igor Stravinsky	The Rite of Spring	CD 3 Tracks 7-8
Maria Callas	Selections TBA (Opera)		Grooveshark
Bessie Smith	Lost Your Head Blues	CD 3 Track 12
Miles Davis	All Blues (Kind of Blue)		Grooveshark
Miles Davis	Miles Runs the Voodoo Down	CD 3 Track 18
Leonard Bernstein	America from West Side Story	CD 3 Track 30