EVDOL 16 - A People’s History of the Piano

Derek Wang
How did the piano come to enjoy its unique status as a laboratory of artistic creation, a symbol of cultural flourishing, and a conduit between private and public life? Addressing this question takes us to the intersection of music, technology, and society, where we’ll gain a broader understanding of the artistic ecosystems in which the achievements of composers and virtuosos are embedded.

Our exploration of the less-familiar corners of the world of pianos and piano-playing will also contribute to a fresh hearing of the established classics. We’ll examine case studies in which an instrument builder unlocked new possibilities for a composer (e.g. Erard and Beethoven, Pleyel and Chopin) and discuss the artistic horizons afforded by the latest gadgets (e.g. high-resolution player piano systems from Yamaha and Steinway, and the Lumatone).

Each session of the course examines a different historical moment, from the Medici court of the 18th century (where the piano was first invented) to the drawing rooms of Jane Austen’s novels, and from the heyday of Tin Pan Alley (when annual U.S. piano sales reached 300,000 in the 1920s) to present-day China (where annual sales eclipsed 400,000 before 2020).

In addition to in-class performances, lectures, and discussions, the course includes exploration of Juilliard’s early keyboard instruments (clavichord, harpsichord, and fortepiano) and piano technology resources.

Biography: Derek Wang

One Section Available | 6 Classes Total | Extension Holiday Schedule

Thursdays 6:30–8pm ET

November 6–December 18

In Person Only

$315

Register by Phone: (212) 799-5000 ext. 273

Our phone line is open Monday–Friday (excluding holidays), 9:00 am–5:00 pm ET.