For almost 300 years the symphony orchestra has been at the center of musical life in the Western tradition. How and why was it formed, and how has it evolved into the orchestra of the 21st century? How has the orchestra adapted to the musical needs of composers from the 18th century to the present day, and also to changing social and economic conditions? As orchestras evolved the need arose for conductors. Composers such as Mendelssohn and Wagner were also conductors; they helped establish the conductor as a profession, which for generations now has been associated with a certain glamour and mystique. What is the conductor doing and how are the conductor’s musical ideas translated into gestures and then into performance by the musicians? The class will also include a brief look at some landmark examples of orchestral music.

Please be sure to register by the day before the class at the latest. You will receive an invitation email with a link to join the Zoom meeting. Click here for a tutorial on how to join a Zoom meeting.