THMUS E537 — The Symphonies of Beethoven and Brahms

3 credits
Spring
Behzad Ranjbaran

Prerequisite: THMUS 511 . An analytical study of select symphonies of Beethoven and Brahms is pursued partly in the context of Classicism and its continuation into the Romantic period. Juxtaposition of these major works highlights two trends: (1) Beethoven’s attempt to expand his musical language beyond Classical aesthetics and (2) Brahms’s honoring of Classical values at the height of Romanticism. This course will explore the impact of these composers’ social and artistic environments on their respective musical characteristics. In addition, we will touch upon the immense impact of their works on symphonic music.