MU2004: HARMONY (2014-2015)

At the heart of this course are weekly exercises in pastiche composition in which students complete extracts of music by composers mostly of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Students gain experience in writing for piano and string quartet, in composing exercises in two- and three-part Baroque counterpoint, and in writing piano accompaniments for German lieder. This course is designed to develop essential techniques of composition, as well as offering invaluable insights into the styles and genres of eighteenth- and nineteenth-century composition.

The main learning outcomes are:

·         To demonstrate knowledge and understanding of various approaches and methods, with particular understanding of practices and idioms of music in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries;

·         To demonstrate knowledge and understanding of features such as the Classical perfect cadence, harmonic rhythm, unessential notes and modulation, piano and string textures, Baroque cadential formulae and two-part writing, Corellian trio sonata and fugal textures; lieder textures and piano accompaniment; Romantic cadential progressions; chromatic harmony (augmented 6th, Neapolitan 6th, Dominant 13th, altered chords)

·         To be able to use skills developed in more formal compositional contexts and to deploy techniques learned effectively;

·         To demonstrate ability to display awareness of the musical, structural and technical aspects of music of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries;

·         To be able to communicate an applied knowledge and understanding of the techniques and aesthetic processes involved in pastiche composition.

This course is taught across the whole session from week 12 to 44. Students need to have a high level of musical literacy.

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

View MU2004 Timetable

More Information about Week Numbers

1st Attempt: In-course assessment: Assignment 1 (25%); In-course assessment: Assignment 2 (25%); Examination (50%).

Resit: Students resit any failed component(s).

Students will be set assignments on a weekly basis.

Feedback on formative assignments will usually be generic, and given to the whole group. Feedback on assessed work counting towards the final CAS mark will be given on the script, with a brief accompanying verbal report.

None.