Music Appreciation

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Course Overview

The Acellus Music Appreciation course provides an overview of the development of western music from Pre-Renaissance to Modern times on the European continent and in America. The focus is on select composers and how the influenced musical styles – and on enjoying our rich heritage of music. Course topics include:

• Renaissance Music
• Baroque Music
• Classical Music
• Pre-Romantic Music
• Early Romantic Music
• Mid-Romantic Music
• Late Romantic Music
• Twentieth Century Music

Music Appreciation is taught by Acellus Instructor Dr. Eileen Dayton.

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This course was developed by the International Academy of Science. Learn More

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Scope and Sequence

  Unit 1 - Renaissance Music In this introductory unit, students learn about Renaissance Music, including its historical-cultural setting and its musical setting. They study Missa Pange Lingua by Josquin des Prez, Adoramus Te and Christe and Missa Papae Marcelli by Giovanni da Palestrina, Magnificat a 14 by Giovanni Gabrieli, Madrigal by William Byrd, Ave Verum Corpus and Earl of Oxford's March by Byrd. Unit 2 - Baroque Music In this unit students gain understanding of Baroque Music, beginning with setting. They study the music of Claudio Monteverdi, including L'Orfeo, Beatus Vir, Zefiro Torna, and Vespers of 1610. The explore the music of Antonio Vivaldi, including Gloria, Four Seasons - Spring, Autumn, and Summer. They become familiar with the works of Johann Sebastian Bach, including Badinerie, Brandenburg Concerto No. 5, Cello Suite No. 1, Orchestral Suite No. 3, and Mass in B Minor. They learn about the music of George Frederic Handel, including his Fireworks Suite, Water Music, The Messiah (overview), and The Messiah - Halleluiah Chorus. Unit 3 - Classical Music In this unit students learn about music from the Classical Period, beginning with the setting in which the music was composed. Students are familiarized with the work of Franz Joseph Haydn, including his Surprise Symphony, London Symphony - 104, and The Creation. They study the work of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, including Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, his opera, The Magic Flute, his Symphony No. 40, and Ave Verum Corpus. Student learn about the music of Ludwig van Beethoven, studying his Moonlight Sonata, Rondo a Capriccio, Piano Concerto No. 5, Symphony No. 9, and Symphony No. 5. Unit 4 - Pre-Romantic Music In this unit students explore the music of the Pre-Romantic Period, beginning with the historical and cultural setting of the music, followed by the musical setting. They then explore the music of Nicolo Paganini, including his Carnival of Venice and Caprice No. 24. They learn about the music of Franz Schubert, including his Ave Maria, and Symphony No. 8. They study the work of Felix Mendelssohn, including his Symphony No. 4, A Midsummer Night's Dream Overture, and Die Hebriden - Overture. Unit 5 - Early Romantic Music In this unit, students study early Romantic music, beginning with the setting. They go on to learn about the music of Robert Schumann, including his Kinderszenen, Fantasie in C Major, and Symphony No. 3. They study the music of Frederic Chopin, including his Waltz Op.42, Heroic Polonaise No. 53, Nocturne Op.9; Revolutionary Etude, and Fantasie Impromptu. They explore the music of Franz Liszt, including his Liebestraume, Les Preludes, Hungarian Rhapsody, and La Campanella, and the Richard Wagner's Tannhause Overture. Unit 6 - Mid-Romantic Music In this unit students begin with the setting of Mid-Romantic Music. They go on to study the music of Johannes Brahms, including his Symphony No. 3, Hungarian Dance No. 5, and Academic Festival Overture. They continue with the music of Peter Tchaikovsky, including Romeo and Juliet, the 1812 Overture, and Symphony No. 6. They explore the music of Antonin Dvorak, including his Humoresques, Slavonic Dances, and New World Symphony. Next they gain understanding of the music of Edvard Grieg, including his Ave Maris Stella, selections from Peer Gynt Suite, and Piano Concerto in A Minor. Unit 7 - Late Romantic Music In this unit students study late Romantic Music, beginning with its setting. They next enjoy the music of Sir Edward Elgar, including Pomp and Circumstance March, Enigma Variations, and Cello Concerto. They become familiar with the music of Giacomo Puccini through his operas, Gianni Schicchi and Turandot. They explore the music of Gustav Mahler, including his Symphony No. 2 and Symphony No. 8, and the music of Richard Strauss, including his Four Last Songs, Don Juan Tone Poem, and Alpine Symphony. Unit 8 - Twentieth Century Music In this unit students study Twentieth Century Music, beginning with setting. They study the music of Claude Debussy, including Claire de Lune and Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun. They explore the music of Sergei Rachmaninoff, including his Prelude Op.23 No. 5, 2, Rhapsody of Paganini, and Piano Concerto No. 2. They learn about the music of Maurice Ravel, including his Concerto for the Left Hand, Daphnis et Chloe, Pavane, and Bolero, and the music of Aaron Copland, including his Appalachian Spring and Symphony No. 3. Finally, they discuss creative expression and applying their music skills.