Lecture 20. The Colossal Symphony: Beethoven, Berlioz, Mahler and Shostakovich

Listening to Music (MUSI 112)

The history and development of the symphony is the topic of this lecture. Professor Wright leads the students from Mozart to Mahler, discussing the ways in which the genre of symphonic music changed throughout the nineteenth century, as well as the ways in which the make-up of the symphony orchestra itself evolved during this period. The changes in the nature of orchestral music are contextualized within the broader historical changes taking place in Europe in the nineteenth century. The lecture is supplemented with musical excerpts drawn from Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Dvorak, Wagner, and Mahler.

00:00 - Chapter 1. Introduction to Symphonies
08:52 - Chapter 2. Historical Changes in Strings and Woodwind Instruments
15:27 - Chapter 3. The Development of the Brass Family
23:22 - Chapter 4. The Growing Orchestra: Capacities and Limits in the 19th Century
29:52 - Chapter 5. Accommodating Orchestras: The Advent of Concert Halls
35:27 - Chapter 6. Gustav Mahler, the Symphony Composer
47:33 - Chapter 7. Conclusion

Complete course materials are available at the Yale Online website: online.yale.edu


This course was recorded in Fall 2008.