MUSI 288 - Baroque Performance Practice: Reading, Listening, and Performing

Semester Offered: Spring
0.5 unit(s)

The music of the Baroque period, roughly 1600 to 1750, consists of some of the most performed music in the Western classical repertoire (Purcell, Vivaldi, Handel, Bach, etc.). This music was rooted in specific performing techniques, such as control of vibrato, addition of decorative ornamentation, etc., and was closely related to the dance forms of the day such as minuets, courantes, gigues, etc. This course balances source readings from the time with a comparison of different recent recordings of professional Baroque performing groups. The goal is to develop an understanding of the range of Baroque performance that conforms to the style. Also, it is an opportunity for performing musicians in class to apply these techniques in performance. Michael Pisani.

Prerequisite(s): One college course in music (any level), or at least two semesters of lessons in any instrument, or permission of the instructor.

First six-week course.

Two 75-minute periods.