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Unit of study_

MCGY2611: Music from the Middle Ages to Baroque

This unit explores major topics in the history of Western art music from the 9th century to c. 1750 in a broad historical context. Beginning with Gregorian chant and the invention of music education notation, we investigate a wide range of genres and styles of the Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque eras, as well as innovations including the development of music printing, developments in musical instruments, and the emergence of opera, sonata and concerto. Musical works for analysis and discussion include examples by Hildegard of Bingen, Machaut, Dufay, Josquin, Palestrina, Gesualdo, Monteverdi, Frescobaldi, Corelli, Lully, Purcell, Vivaldi, Handel and J.S. Bach.

Code MCGY2611
Academic unit Musicology
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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Ability to read musical notation

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

  • LO1. demonstrate a knowledge of key features of the music of the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods, including a knowledge of major composers and representative musical works, and an understanding of the role of music and musicians in the society and culture of the periods
  • LO2. describe and explain the major musical styles, genres and instruments of the periods, and apply relevant analytical methods to the study of this music
  • LO3. identify important musical styles, genres, and instruments of the periods aurally and from music notation
  • LO4. think, speak, and write critically about Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque music, and use relevant terminology appropriately.

Unit outlines

Unit outlines will be available 2 weeks before the first day of teaching for the relevant session.