What will I learn?

Week 1: Toward a German Opera

Like his contemporaries Carl Maria von Weber and Heinrich Marschner, Schubert cherished a desire to write a successful German opera. His most intriguing essays in the genre include Alfonso und Estrella and Fierabras.

Week 2: Masses

Schubert's masses are still unknown to many listeners, even though they contain some of his most glorious music. A few passages from the late masses in A-flat and E-flat demonstrate the riches to be found in these works.

Week 3: Unfinished and Great Symphonies

Among his most ambitious instrumental compositions, Schubert's B minor and C major symphonies are staples of the international orchestral repertory.

Week 4: Trout and Trio

Schubert's chamber music includes the popular Trout Quintet and Octet, as well as the late piano trios and String Quintet. We explore a representative sample of these works.

Week 5: Musical Moments

From relatively short works, entitled Moments Musicaux, to the imposing Wanderer Fantasy and late sonatas, Schubert's piano music encompasses a wide range of moods and styles.

Week 6: Songs and Song Cycles

From early gems like Gretchen am Spinnrade and Erlkonig to the epic cycle Winterreise, German art songs span Schubert's entire career. We discuss a few of his more than 600 lieder.

How will I learn?

• Lectures
• Discussion (may vary from class to class)
• Papers (applicable only to certificate students)

How will I be evaluated?

For certificate students only:

Your instructor will evaluate you based on an essay, which you will complete at the end of the course. You will receive a grade of “satisfactory” or “unsatisfactory.”

Textbooks and learning materials

Reading material (if applicable) will be available in class. Some course materials may be available online.