Chopin is the pivotal figure in the history of modern keyboard music: he fully exploited the new possibilities of the nineteenth-century piano in figuration and texture, whilst building on the heritage of eighteenth-century music of the highest quality with immaculate taste and technique, and in many ways standing firm against contemporary artistic currents. His performance style, especially in its rhythmic freedom, was controversial. He was an early pioneer of ‘national music’. His legacy for later pianist-composers, piano pedagogy and recital repertoire was profound. In this module we will evaluate Chopin’s own music and his distinctive style and innovations, and then assess its legacy in the work of composers such as Liszt, Balakirev, Grieg, Scriabin, Rachmaninov, Albéniz, Debussy and Medtner.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module students should be able to:
Recognize and evaluate with considerable sophistication the main aspects of Chopin’s contribution to the development of piano music
Discuss selected aspects of Chopin’s legacy for later piano music and piano performance activity with considerable sophistication.
Cite, and where appropriate, analyse specific and suitable pieces of music as examples of their commentaries and evaluations
Demonstrate an ability to produce assessed work independently employing appropriate literature and techniques
Demonstrate an ability to undertake independent research by using primary sources and bibliographical tools, as appropriate