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Unit of study_

MCGY2612: Music in the Classical and Romantic Eras

2025 unit information

This unit will survey the main lines of musical development between 1750 and 1890, with primary focus on the composition of music, and how this relates to the social and aesthetic currents of the time. The overview given in the lecture series will be reinforced by detailed focus on individual works in the tutorials from both historical and analytical perspectives. Topics will include the emergence and codification of classical form and syntax; style and genre in the works of the first Viennese School; Beethoven's 'heroic' and 'late' styles; national opera traditions; symphonic poem and music drama; nationalism and exoticism; and the conflict between progress and tradition.

Unit details and rules

Managing faculty or University school:

Sydney Conservatorium of Music

Study level Undergraduate
Academic unit Analysis, History and Cultural Studies
Credit points 6
Prerequisites:
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None
Corequisites:
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None
Prohibitions:
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None
Assumed knowledge:
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The ability to read musical notation and basic knowledge of music theory

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. describe the main lines of musical development between 1750 and 1890
  • LO2. recognise and analyse a number of highly significant musical works from the classical and romantic eras
  • LO3. show awareness of various critical paradigms which have openly or covertly shaped music historiography and criticism
  • LO4. trace links between music and the other arts, philosophy and the history of ideas
  • LO5. display your awareness of best practices in scholarly research and conventions governing academic writing
  • LO6. engage respectfully but critically with the views of others

Unit availability

This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.

The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.

Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 1 2024
Normal day Sydney
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 1 2025
Normal day Sydney
Outline unavailable
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 1 2020
Normal day Sydney
Semester 1 2021
Normal day Remote
Semester 1 2021
Normal day Sydney
Semester 1 2022
Normal day Remote
Semester 1 2022
Normal day Sydney
Semester 1 2023
Normal day Sydney

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Modes of attendance (MoA)

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