T556 Summer Session II 1995

Analysis of Twentieth-Century Music (3 cr.)

Prof. Eric Isaacson

W 9:30-10:20, ThF 8:30-10:20 in Sy 137

Prerequisite:

T508. (T551 is recommended but not required.)

Course Description:

The course has two components: (1) A study of selected analytical techniques for twentieth-century music, primarily pitch-class set theory and twelve-tone (serial) theory. (2) Use of those techniques in the detailed study of representative works from the twentieth century. The course will focus primarily on the music from the first half of the century (Schoenberg, Webern, Stravinsky, and Bartók), but about a third of the course will be devoted to a selection of pieces written since 1960--to be determined by the particular interests of the class.

Text:

Joseph Straus, Introduction to Post-Tonal Theory (Prentice-Hall, 1990)

Scores to be determined. (Some may be purchased; others will be available in the library for check out or photocopying.)

Requirements and grading:

Several written assignments, regular class participation, two or three exams, and an analysis paper.

Graduate Courses in Music Theory

IU Theory Department Home Page