Evolving the Classical Style: From Haydn to Mozart

Evolving the Classical Style: From Haydn to Mozart

This 8-week class is offered at the downtown University of Chicago Gleacher Center.

Teacher Recertification CPDUs: 20

The works of Haydn and Mozart have the archetypal classical traits of elegance and clarity, power and drama. This course gives the oft-overlooked Haydn his due as the father of classical style before turning to Mozart, its culmination. Through Haydn’s symphonies and string quartets, we will trace his development of the sonata forms which are the bedrock of classical genres. Mozart’s own stylistic development closely paralleled this progression. We will examine Mozart’s impressive assimilation of Haydn’s influence, and discover how he built on it to develop the dramatic possibilities of classical style in his symphonies and operas.

Mr. Gibbons holds a PhD from the University of Chicago Department of Music. His works have been performed at the Rockefeller Music Competition and by the Minnesota Chamber Symphony. He received the Graham School of General Studies 2005 Excellence in Teaching Award for the Humanities, Arts, and Sciences.

Visit John Gibbons' classical music blog, Holde Kunst.

Register online

Course Code LAMUEC

Section 08U1

Summer 2008

Gleacher Center

$310 Early registration

$340 Regular registration (after May 16)

Tuesdays, June 3–July 22

10 am–12:30 pm