**This class will be taught In-Person**
The concerto is a piece of music for orchestra and soloist or soloists. This course will explore the history of these fascinating musical conversations between larger and smaller musical forces.
We will trace the history of the concerto from its beginnings in the time of Bach and Corelli through the ninteenth century and into our own time. We will learn how the musical gifts and personalities of the performers for whom the concertos were written affected the music. We will listen to recordings and have lively discussion. No previous musical experience is necessary.
Week 1. Vivaldi and Bach: the beginnings of the modern concerto
Week 2. Composer as concerto soloist: the piano concertos of Mozart
Week 3. Johannes Brahms and Clara Schumann: the nineteenth-century concerto in the German-speaking world.
Week 4. From Russia with Love: Concertos by Tchaikowsky and Rachmaninov
Week 5. Elgar’s cello concerto and Britten’s Violin concerto: Two twentieth-century concertos for string instruments.
Week 6. Wet Ink: Concertos by living composers.
