Choral Masterpieces: From Bach to Britten



Overview

Embark upon a journey through the rich tapestry of choral music from the Baroque era to the 20th century. This course offers a comprehensive exploration of seminal works by some of the greatest composers in the choral tradition.

Beginning with the work in which Bach summed up a lifetime’s experience of choral writing, his monumental Mass in B minor, we chart the development of the choral tradition from the Baroque period to the 20th century. We look in detail at the music, tracing the changes in musical style, the developments in orchestral instruments and changing circumstances in which the choral works were first performed.

The course will also look at the texts that inspired the choral works, from the religious texts of the Latin mass and the Biblical quotations of Jennens, to the secular sentiments of Schiller’s Ode to Joy and the poems of Wilfred Owen.

This is a course with something for everyone but it will be of particular appeal to anyone who enjoys choral singing.

Programme details

Course starts: 22nd Jan 2025

Week 1: Bach - B minor Mass.

Week 2: Handel - Messiah.

Week 3: Mozart -Requiem.

Week 4: Haydn - The Creation.

Week 5: Beethoven - Symphony no. 9, "Choral".

Week 6: Mendelssohn - Elijah.

Week 7: Brahms - Ein Deutsches Requiem.

Week 8: Fauré - Requiem.

Week 9: Stravinsky - Symphony of Psalms.

Week 10: Britten - War Requiem.

Certification

Digital badge

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be issued with an official digital badge from the Department for Continuing Education, University of Oxford. After the course, you will receive an email with a link and instructions on how to download your digital badge. You will be able to add your badge to your email signature and share it on social media if you choose to do so. In order to be issued with your badge, you will need to have attended at least 80% of the course.

Fees

Description Costs
Course Fee £285.00

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:

Concessionary fees for short courses

Tutor

Mr Jonathan Darnborough

Jonathan Darnborough is Director of Studies in Music and Departmental Lecturer in Music at Oxford University Department for Continuing Education. He is the author of Oxford University’s first three online Music courses.

Course aims

To trace the development of the choral tradition from the Baroque period to the 20th century.

Course objectives:

  • To identify major composers in the choral tradition from the Baroque period to the 20th century.
  • To trace the changes in musical style across this period.
  • To describe the changing circumstances in which the choral works were first performed.
  • To study the texts that inspired the choral works.

Teaching methods

The course will be illustrated by audio and video extracts, co-ordinated by computer. All visual illustrations, including scores, choral texts, video and DVD extracts will be projected on to a large screen. Audio recordings will be played through high quality hi-fi. In any musical analyses the tutor will play passages on the piano to provide clear aural comparisons before playing the relevant recordings.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students will be expected to:

  • be able to identify the major composers in the choral tradition from the Baroque period to the 20th century;
  • describe the changes in musical style across this period;
  • describe the changing circumstances in which the choral works were first performed;
  • identify the different sources of text used by composers of choral works.

Application

To earn credit (CATS points) for your course you will need to register and pay an additional £30 fee per course. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online.

Please use the 'Book' or 'Apply' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an Enrolment Form (Word) or Enrolment Form (Pdf)

Level and demands

No prior knowledge is needed for enjoyment of this course.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support