Throughout the centuries, mankind has attempted to encode all aspects of existence into works of art. In this seminar, conductor Stefano Flavoni and Stanford music professor George Barth analyzed the intersections of classical music with several aspects of the liberal arts, including philosophy, history, and sociology. They fostered a discussion which examined the efficacy of both music scholarship and original works of music. As the seminar involved in-depth analysis and exegesis of masterpieces of the orchestral and operatic canon, an ability to read music was required.

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Faculty

• George Barth

Stanford Music Department

Professor George Barth is Billie Bennett Achilles Director of Keyboard Programs at Stanford University. He has performed as recitalist and soloist with orchestra throughout the U.S. and Central Europe.

• ​Stefano Flavoni

Conductor, Chamber Musician

Stefano Flavoni is an award-winning orchestra and opera conductor. He has performed in concert internationally including as principle conductor of the National Youth Choir of China and made his Carnegie Hall debut at the age of fourteen.

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Syllabus

• “How Music Works” (Music and Narrative), Saturday 10/14/2017

Reading/analyzing music, counterpoint, sonata form, motivic composition, literary theory and music, contemporary methods

• “The Purpose of Music” (Music and Philosophy), Saturday 10/21/2017

Developing a proficient knowledge of aesthetics and Art’s purpose, differences in artistic media, ethical issues in our patronage of the arts

• “Representation and the Abstract” (Music and Artistic Movements), Saturday 10/28/2017

Literal vs. symbolic representation, absolute music and the romantic ideal, neoclassicism

• “Style, Gesture, and Intent” (Music and Hermeneutics), Saturday 11/4/2017

Aleatory in music, Sociopolitical encodings, “Historically Informed Performance”

• “Becoming Ethical Musicians” (Music and Society), Saturday 11/11/2017

Gender and sexuality, cultural clashes, choices in repertoire, cultural appropriation, finding happiness