History of the Orchestra

Learning Objective

  • To learn about the history of the orchestra trough the centuries, to apply knowledge of historical performance practice to the performing conditions of today. 
  • To learn how to use musicological and historical texts as source of inspiration as musician and as a performer.

Course Content
The first part of the course will be devoted to the reading, summarizing and discussing of a collection of text in the history of the orchestra. This part of the course consists of group lessons in groups of maximum 5 students.
In the second part of the course each student must write a paper about a specific work, or prepare a presentation on a topic of their interest related to the history of the orchestra. This part of the course will consist of multiple individual coaching sessions.
In the third and last part of the course each student will present their findings to their fellow students and the teacher in a lecture of 20-30 minutes.

Course details

teacher Johannes Leertouwer
term January-April 2025
readings (recommended) Spitzer, J., and Zaslaw, N., The Birth of the Orchestra: History of an Institution 1650-1815. New York: Oxford University Press, 2004.
  Galkin, Elliott W., A History of Orchestral Conducting: In Theory and Practice. New York: Pendragon Press, 1988.
  Bekker, P., History of the orchestra, W. W. Norton & Company, 1963
assessment The presentation in the third part of the course will be judged on a scale of 1-10 by the teacher.
credits 5
related electivesFrom Lully to Boulez: Musical Life in Paris through the Centuries
  History of the Early Music Movement
  Orchestral Practice and Audition Training
  The Romantic Style in Theory and Practice
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