MU 345 - Beethoven in the Age of Revolution

This course situates Beethoven’s life and work against the backdrop of the Enlightenment, Napoleonic Wars, and the emergence of Romanticism. Students will connect watershed moments in Beethoven’s career to such events as the French Revolution, the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire, and the Congress of Vienna. Special attention will be paid to the genres Beethoven most revolutionized: the keyboard sonata, the concerto, the string quartet, and the symphony. Musical background is helpful but not required.

Note: Meets Historical Reasoning Learning Outcome (HIST)

Four credits.

Prerequisite(s): EN 105