|
What’s
On the Program?
On four Wednesday evenings in August, we’ll
discuss some “classic” examples of program music:
a piece of music that’s based on something (usually a story of sorts) outside music. Although this music often sounds
good enough if you have no idea of the story behind it, the idea is that in order
to fully appreciate the work, you need to be aware of the “program.”
Perhaps the most famous example of program music that everybody (yes,
everybody)
knows is Vivaldi’s cycle of four violin concertos The Four Seasons. Almost nobody is aware
of the programmatic content, which Vivaldi made explicit by the poems in the
original score.
But program music was most popular during the
nineteenth century. We will focus on composers like Mendelssohn (Overture A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Berlioz (Fantastic Symphony), Dvorák (the late, little known “symphonic poems”), and Richard Strauss
(Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks). When: Wednesdays,
August 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Time: 8–9:30 pm
Cost: $ 100 for five sessions $
25 per single evening
Space is limited; please pre-register by phone
or email.
And here's what our students
say:
JP’s enthusiasm is infectious. I
was left with a great hunger to get out my recordings and listen to them again with the benefit of the new insights that I
gained. The class was especially inspiring because it avoided technical language
and theoretical concepts that are often so off-putting for amateur music lovers. An all too rare opportunity to go deeper into the music in a friendly and stimulating
way.
—Andrew Pike, President, Ronin Films, Canberra, Australia
I've thoroughly enjoyed this course. JP’s
approach to teaching music is relaxed and accepting. His remarkable knowledge
and ability to communicate clearly make the time fly. He piques my interest to
learn more at every class. Both beginners and those with some musical background will
find this course fun and educational . . . but the stories and asides that JP infuses into his classes are the pièce de résistance. This course has reawakened my love for classical music.
—Kathy Cante, Choir Member, Emanuel Lutheran Church, Pleasantville, NY
I always thought of classical music as being very, very boring. But when I went to JP’s music class I found that it can actually be very, very fun. JP has a fantastic way of teaching that helps me to understand
classical music.
—Anna Flournoy (12), Artist, Babysitter, Model, Aspiring Actress, South Salem, NY
This
course has been superb! In college I always fell asleep in my music appreciation course but JP keeps it interesting
with lively discussion and listening and wonderful tidbits and stories. I'm looking forward to doing the next series.
—Karla Diamond, AmSAT teacher of the Alexander
Technique
Classical
music always seemed beyond my understanding, but in just a few weeks, JP has brought classical music and opera alive
for me! His easy-to-understand, relaxed, and fun way of speaking about the composers, their settings and audiences
has sparked an enthusiasm for learning more, listening more, and enjoying more music.
—Heather Flournoy, Healer, Horse Trainer, South
Salem
|
