Course Details in 2026/27 Session

Module Title	LH Baroque Analysis
School	Lan, Cult, Art Hist & Music
Department	Music
Module Code	09 34898
Module Lead	Amy Brosius
Level	Honours Level
Credits	20
Semester	Semester 2
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Contact Hours	Lecture-20 hours Guided independent study-180 hours Total: 200 hours
Exclusions
Description	In this module we will analyse musical compositions across the three major stages of the Baroque period: early, middle, and late. Composers across these periods considered not only the existing rules of harmony and form when composing, but also a range of extra-musical factors. Therefore, in this module we will not only analyse the musical structures, forms and harmonies from a purely musical/sonic standpoint, but also consider what role certain extramusical factors played in creating these formal musical aspects. Our analysis of these pieces will include examination of ways in which the earlier practices of modal music theory shaped the tonal practices developing throughout this period. We will also focus on the different ways that musical compositions were influenced by the concepts of rhetoric that circulated in European culture at the time.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of the principal approaches available in current analytical work on Baroque music; demonstrate a detailed and comprehensive knowledge of some of the principal compositional techniques employed by composers from in the Baroque period; demonstrate a nuanced understanding of some of the extramusical influences on compositional techniques in the Baroque period; Critically analyse the influences related to the concept of rhetoric on Baroque repertories; Apply appropriate analytical concepts at a high level to a range of Baroque repertories with accuracy; Work confidently at a high level with complex musical scores across the Baroque period.
Assessment	34898-01 : Analytical Essay : Coursework (50%) 34898-02 : Analytical Exam : Exam (School Arranged) - Written Unseen (50%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessment: 50% Analytical Essay (2000 words); 50% 2 hour analytical exam. Reassessment: No resits are permitted in final year. If students miss the assessed task owing to extenuating circumstances, the failed task would be rescheduled at a later date.
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