Eastern Kentucky University

School of Music
MUS 555/755
CRN 10310/10361
3 Credit Hours
Fall 2018 (Full Term)

Instructor: Dr. Larry Nelson, Associate Professor

Office: 207 Foster Music Building
Phone: 859-622-5006
Email:larry.nelson@eku.edu

Course Description
MUS 555/755 covers the evolution of the symphony from its beginning to the 20th century with
emphasis on score reading and listening.

The course traces the history and development of the symphony from its roots in music of the
late Baroque to the 20th century. Rather than a comprehensive look at the Symphony, specific
works in the repertory will be the focus of the course; they will be approached through historical
context and some musical analysis. Relevant topics include:

 the development of sonata/1st movement form.

 the purpose of the composition and performance of the music.
 its intended audience.
 the size and composition of the orchestra in various eras.
 other relevant historical trends and social context.

Required Materials
No text is required for the class. Reading, listening, and other material will be made available
through Blackboard. Students will require access to a computer with the necessary software for
accessing the internet and Blackboard; viewing PDF, MS Word, and similar documents; viewing
YouTube files; and listening to streaming audio or MP3 files. It may also be useful to scan
documents in order to submit assignments.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course students will be able to:

1. describe the origination and development of the Symphony from its roots in the Baroque
and Pre-Classical Eras through the 20th Century.
2. identify specific pieces of symphonic music by title, composer, and historical era.
 3. explain how the Symphony in the various eras related to the social aspects of its
composition and performance.
4. articulate one’s own “personal answer” for why the study of Symphonic Literature
matters for us as listeners, composers, performers, educators, or as a combination of these
roles.
5. construct a "reasonable defense" for why the study of Symphonic Literature matters for
others who may not share our personal convictions - students, for example, or
administrators, or politicians.

Assignments and Grading

Most assignments are attached to modules and will become available with them. Rubrics will be
provided with the assignments as appropriate. Module assignments will typically be given in 2-
week intervals. Other important dates are as follows:

 Midterm Exam – available October 13-20 (please note – the date for midterm grades to
be submitted to the registrar is October 7. The midterm grade submitted will include only
assignments completed through Module 3 and will not include this exam).
 Paper – due end of day December 12.
 Final Exam – available December 8-12.

Late work is not accepted, unless an official university-approved excuse is submitted prior to due
date. Your instructor reserves the right to post new due dates when necessary, but will do so only
under special circumstances. Please note, though, that LATE POSTS for online discussions are
typically not awarded points. If there are questions about due dates, please ask the instructor.

Student Progress: Grades will be posted in the Bb online grade book. Your instructor is always
available to provide additional progress reports for you upon request

Assignments: All major assignments are designed for you to integrate knowledge gained from
this course. They are important not only for learning assessment to take place, but to reinforce
long-term retention and understanding of human communication processes and skills. Therefore,
assignments provided in the course must be completed in order to receive a passing grade for this
course. Failure to complete any assignment or exam worth 20 points or more will result in
failure of this course.

Policies regarding late work, academic integrity, “netiquette,” and plagiarism may be found on
the course Blackboard site under “EKU Student Policies and Policies for this Course.”
Grading Scale
A = 90-100%
B = 80-89%
C = 70-79%
D = 60-69%
F = 0-59%

Graded Material

Grading Percent
Completion of Module 4% each 28%
Assignments
Listening Quizzes (for each 3% each 21%
module)
Midterm Exam 17%
Final Exam 17%
Paper 17%
Total 100%

The paper will cover a topic assigned by (or potentially negotiated with) the instructor. It will be
approximately 7-8 pages in length over a topic related to the course. The rubric for the paper
will be made available on Blackboard.

The midterm and final exams will consist of essay questions relating to the material from the
modules. The final will not be cumulative except insofar as topics continue to be relevant
throughout the course.

The listening tests will consist of short excerpts from assigned pieces.

Course Policies
Attendance Policy

In this online class, attendance will be measured by the student’s completing the assignments in a
timely manner that meets assignment deadlines and due dates. Assignments with due dates will
be made via Blackboard.

Please be advised that instructors have the right to drop students from any course due to non-
participation. For more information, see the university's First Day Attendance Policy. For this
course, you must send me an email saying (literally or figuratively) “I am here” between August
19 and August 24 in order to be considered present for First Day Attendance purposes.
Students will receive feedback on their progress within one week of an assignment being
submitted. Grades can be tracked throughout the semester via Blackboard. Please contact the
professor by email any time you have questions about your work in this course.

To view your grades in Blackboard, click on the “Tools” button, then choose “View Grades”.

Dropping the Course

Last Dates to Drop Courses (from the University Calendar):

No. Weeks of TERM 16

Term Start Date 8/19/19
Term End Date 12/14/19
Last day to ADD or DROP a class. Last day for 100% refund. Last day to change
8/25/19
from P/F or Audit to GRADE.
Mid-Term Date:Mid-Term Grades Submission Deadline. 10/07/19
*Last day to WITHDRAW from class without a fee. 10/14/19
**Last Day to WITHDRAW from class. Withdraw fee applies. 11/10/19
Last day for 75% refund 9/01/19
Last day for 50% refund 9/08/19
Last day for 25% refund 9/15/19
Last Day to Change from Grade to AUDIT or P/F. 9/06/19

*Last day to withdraw without incurring a withdraw fee. Students should withdraw through
EKUDirect.

**Last day to withdraw from a course. A $50.00 per credit hour fee will be assessed (e.g.
$150.00 for a 3 credit hour course). Students should withdraw through EKUDirect. Please note
that students choosing to withdraw from the University (all courses) do not incur this withdraw
fee.

Disability Statement
The University strives to make all learning experiences as accessible as possible. If you are
registered with the EKU Center for Student Accessibility, please obtain your accommodation
letters from the CSA, present them to the course instructor, and discuss the accommodations
needed. If you believe you need an accommodation and are not registered with the CSA, please
contact the office in 361 Whitlock Building by email at disserv@eku.edu or by telephone at
(859) 622-2933. Upon individual request, this syllabus can be made available in an alternative
format.

A student with a “disability” may be an individual with a physical or psychological impairment

that substantially limits one or more major life activities, to include, but not limited to: seeing,
hearing, communicating, interacting with others, learning, thinking, concentrating, sitting,
standing, lifting, performing manual tasks, working. Additionally, pregnancy accompanied by a
medical condition(s), which causes a similar substantial limitation, may also be considered under
the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act (ADAAA).

Academic Integrity Statement

Students are advised that EKU’s Academic Integrity Policy will be strictly enforced in this
course. Questions regarding the policy may be directed to the Office of Academic Integrity
located in the Turley House, or contact them by phone at (859) 622-1500.

E-mail Policy
An official EKU e-mail is established for each registered student, faculty, and staff member. All
university communications sent via e-mail will be sent to this EKU e-mail address. Your emails
will be answered within 24-48 hours.

Course Outline
Each module of this course includes readings, listening, activities, and assignments that will help
meet the learning objectives.* The schedule below indicates when modules will be available; a
given module will be viewable from its initial date through the end of the semester. Assignments
may be submitted through Blackboard until the end of the availability period. Please also note
that the Eastern Time Zone applied to all due dates in this course.

* Listed readings do not include short assignments from the Oxford Music Dictionary Online.
Some adjustments in reading or listening assignments may be made to better meet the needs of
the course.

Module 1: Essentials of the Baroque Period, Antecedents to the Symphony –

available August 19 – end of day (11:59) September 1 (due dates for specific
module assignments can be found on Blackboard)

 Reading:
o Lawrence Kramer Why Classical Music Still Matters, Ch. 1 "Classical Music and Its
Values."
o Richard Crocker A History of Musical Style, “Part Music on a Triadic Basis,” pp.
223-5.
o The Grove Dictionary online initial article on the Symphony.
 Listening:
o Archangelo Corelli – Trio Sonata in f minor, Op. 3, No. 9 (Grave, Vivace, Largo,
Allegro)
o J.S. Bach – Suite No. 1 in C Major, BWV 1066 (Overture, Courante, Gavotte,
Forlane, Menuet, Bourree, Passepied)
o G.F. Handel – Messiah HWV 56 “Overture”
 o Antonio Vivaldi – Concerto for 2 Violins in A Minor, Op. 3, No. 8, RV 522 (Allegro,
Larghetto, Allegro)
o G.F. Handel – Il delirio amoroso “Introduction”

Module 2: The Pre-Classical Symphony – available 5:00 PM September 1 –

end of day (11:59) September 15 (due dates for specific module assignments
can be found on Blackboard)

 Reading:
o Charles Rosen The Classical Style, p. 23-29.
o Charles Rosen The Classical Style, p. 30-42 “Theories of Form.”
o Adam Carse 18th Century Symphonies, p. 3-4, 14-18.
o Adam Carse The Orchestra in the 18th Century, p. 1-15.
 Listening:
o G. B. Sammartini - Symphony No. 1 in C Major (JC7).
o Johann Stamitz - Sinfonia a 8 (La Melodia Germanica, No. 1).
o Joseph Haydn – Symphony No. 6 ("Le Matin").

Module 3: Joseph Haydn – available 5:00 PM September 15 – end of day

(11:59) September 29 (due dates for specific module assignments can be
found on Blackboard)

 Reading:
o Charles Rosen The Classical Style, p. 99-104 “Structure and Ornament” excerpt
o Charles Rosen The Classical Style, p. 120 quote, followed by 129
o Pauly, Reinhard G. Music in the Classic Period, p. 93-99 “The Classic Symphony:
Haydn”
o Adam Carse The Orchestra in the 18th Century, p. 155-165 “Conclusion,
Arrangements, Standard of Performance.”
 Listening:
o Joseph Haydn – Symphony No. 44 in E Minor, Hob.I:44, "Trauersinfonie."
o Joseph Haydn – Symphony No. 45 in F-Sharp Minor, Hob.I:45, "Farewell."
o Joseph Haydn – Symphony No. 104 in D Major, Hob.I:104, "London."

Module 4: Mozart and The Classical Symphony – available 5:00 PM

September 29 – end of day (11:59) October 13 (due dates for specific module
assignments can be found on Blackboard)

 Reading:
o Charles Rosen The Classical Style, p. 143-163 “Symphony”
o Pauly, Reinhard G. Music in the Classic Period, p. 99-108 “The Classic Symphony:
Mozart”
o Zaslaw, Neal. "Mozart as a Working Stiff.
 Listening:
o Wolfgang Mozart – Symphony No. 29 in A Major, K. 201.
o Wolfgang Mozart – Symphony No. 31 in D Major, K. 297, "Paris."
o Wolfgang Mozart – Symphony No. 40 in G Minor, K. 550.

Module 5: Beethoven – available 5:00 PM October 20 – end of day (11:59)

November 3 (due dates for specific module assignments can be found on
Blackboard)

 Reading:
o Charles Rosen The Classical Style, p. 381-387 “Beethoven” excerpt
o Harold Bloom The Western Canon, “Preface and Prelude”
o van den Toorn, Pieter C. "Politics, Feminism, and Contemporary Music Theory."
o McClary, Susan. Feminine Endings: Music, Gender, and Sexuality “Getting Off the
Beanstalk”
 Listening:
o Beethoven – Symphony No. 3 in E-Flat Major, Op. 55, "Eroica"
o Beethoven – Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67
o Beethoven – Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, Op. 125, "Choral"

Module 6: the 19th Century Symphony – available 5:00 PM November 3 – end

of day (11:59) November 17 (due dates for specific module assignments can
be found on Blackboard)

 Reading:
o Hanslick, Eduard. "In Their Own Words: Eduard Hanslick on Musical Beauty."
o Wagner, Richard. "In Their Own Words: Wagner on Music of the Future."
o Harold Bloom The Western Canon p. 15-41 “An Elegy for the Canon”
 Listening:
o Berlioz – Symphonie fantastique, S470/R134-136
o Brahms – Symphony No. 3 in F Major, Op. 90
o Liszt – Les Preludes, S637/R359
o Wagner – Tristan und Isolde, Act 1 Prelude
o Mahler – Symphony No. 5 in C-Sharp Minor
Module 7: the 20th Century Symphony – available 5:00 PM November 17 –
end of day (11:59) December 8 (an extra week to allow for the Thanksgiving
holiday; due dates for specific module assignments can be found on
Blackboard)

 Reading:
o Brown, Matthew. "Tonality and Form in Debussy's ‘Prélude à 'L'Après-midi d'un
faune’."
o Crist, Elizabeth B. "Aaron Copland and the Popular Front."
o Gottleib, Jack. "Symbols of Faith in the Music of Leonard Bernstein."
o Mothersill, Mary. "Is Art a Language?
 Listening:
o Debussy – Prelude a l'apres-midi d'un faune
o Stravinsky – Symphony in 3 Movements
o Copland – Symphony No. 3
o Bernstein – Symphony No. 1, "Jeremiah"