Intro to Classical Music

Since this was an online class, initially I had some concerns about the delivery of the course in this format. I had thought it might be a richer experience to sit in a classroom full of other students, listening to and discussing the classical composers and their works. However, the online format actually worked quite well. Listening to the music with on-screen listening guides, watching documentary and performance videos and participating in on-line discussions with other students was a great combination of resources to fully explore the many aspects of the course material.

Some of the favorite things I learned in this class were:

• the distinctive characteristics of the different periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, etc.)
• the different musical forms (symphony, concerto, sonata, etc.)
• the lives and times of the great composers

I also enjoyed learning the specifics about famous works such as Beethoven’s ‘5th Symphony’ and Vivaldi’s ‘The Four Seasons’.