Literature and Music: From Romanticism to the Jazz Age

Overview

The creative artists of each age influence one another. The purpose of this day school is to explore those interconnections and influences between the writers and composers of two highly contrasting periods, the Romantic era and the Jazz age. 

Starting with the Romantic era and its emphasis on emotion, individualism, imagination, and the beauty of nature, we look at the works of writers such as Byron, Shelley and Keats as well as Goethe and Heine, among others, on the continent. Many of the composers of the Romantic era, notably Schumann, Berlioz, Liszt and Wagner, were extremely widely read and some were also prolific writers themselves. We explore the ways in which their music was influenced by the literary currents of the time. 

The First World War challenged many of the Romantic ideals and assumptions. The sense of loss and disillusionment felt by many creative artists, in its aftermath, resulted in a profound reaction against Romanticism and a shift towards new means of expression, in the shape of movements such as symbolism, existentialism and surrealism. 

All of these movements found their expression in both literature and music. The hedonism of the age is captured by writers such as Fitzgerald and Hemingway, and reflected in the music of Stravinsky, Weill, Ravel and Poulenc. This day school will attempt to capture the essence of the change from Romanticism to modernism through the lens of the interplay between these two creative arts. 

Please note: this event will close to enrolments at 23:59 GMT (UTC) on 6 November 2024.

Programme details

9.45am    
Registration (Rewley House reception)

10am
Literature in the Romantic age 
Sandie Byrne 

11.15am
Tea/coffee break

11.45am     
Music in the Romantic age 
Jonathan Darnborough  

1pm     
Lunch break

2pm
The literature of the Jazz Age
Sandie Byrne  

3.15pm
Tea/coffee break

3.45pm
Music in the Jazz Age 
Jonathan Darnborough  

5pm     
End of day  

Fees

Description Costs
Course Fee (includes tea/coffee) £120.00
Baguette Lunch £7.30
Hot Lunch £19.25

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit or are a full-time student in the UK you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees.

Concessionary fees for short courses

Tutors

Prof Sandie Byrne

Speaker

Sandie Byrne is Associate Professor of English Literature and Director of Studies in English, OUDCE and a Fellow of Kellogg College, Oxford. She is the author of a number of books and articles on nineteenth- and twentieth-century writing.

Mr Jonathan Darnborough

Speaker

Jonathan Darnborough is Director of Studies in Music and Departmental Lecturer in Music at Oxford University Department for Continuing Education. He is a composer and pianist and has worked in continuing education throughout his career. He was a prize-winner in the 1992 Franco-Italian Piano Competition in Paris and he has performed throughout Britain, as well as in Europe, the USA and Indonesia.

Application

Please use the 'Book' button on this page. Alternatively, please contact us to obtain an application form.

Accommodation

Accommodation is not included in the price, but if you wish to stay with us the night before the course, then please contact our Residential Centre.

Accommodation in Rewley House - all bedrooms are modern, comfortably furnished and each room has tea and coffee making facilities, Freeview television, and Free WiFi and private bath or shower rooms. Please contact our Residential Centre on +44 (0) 1865 270362 or email res-ctr@conted.ox.ac.uk for details of availability and discounted prices. For more information, please see our website: https://www.conted.ox.ac.uk/about/accommodation