THMUS E570 — Stravinsky in America

3 credits
Fall
Kendall Briggs

Prerequisite: THMUS 511 Stravinsky’s move to America in 1939 was to be one of the most important in his life. It was in America that Stravinsky’s most important compositional changes and developments occurred. This course will chart these developments, focusing on the influences of numerous individuals he met in America on these compositional choices and stylistic directions, particularly those of Robert Craft, W. H. Auden, George Balanchine, Aldous Huxley, and Dylan Thomas, among many others. Particular attention will focus on his neo-Classic style and use of traditional musical forms, harmony, and counterpoint; the influence of jazz styles; as well as his work toward a new and unique use of the concepts of serialism after the death of Schoenberg. Analysis of works will focus on Stravinsky’s novel use of form, instrumentation, harmony, and counterpoint in these styles. Assignments will include comparative summaries of topics discussed as well as a final document, which will focus on a specific topic or a comparison of various topics.