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The Piano Sonata: Russian and 20th-21st Century Composers
  • Level Professional
  • Duration 13 hours
  • Course by University of Michigan
  • Offered by

About

In this course, you’ll review sonata form and learn how the piano sonata was revitalized in the 20th century, with a particular attention to composers from Russia, where the sonata was an especially popular and successful genre. You’ll study some of the most influential piano sonatas of the 20th century, in both Neo-Classical and avant-garde styles. This course will also expose you to a variety of lesser-known and more recent compositions, showing how the piano sonata genre continues to expand and to thrive. This course was filmed at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance, among other locations, to showcase the depth of the sonata repertoire and the instruments that contributed to its history.

Modules

Course Introduction

    • 1 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
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1 Discussions

  • Introduce Yourself

1 Videos

  • Course Introduction: Setting the Stage

2 Readings

  • Course Syllabus
  • Help Us Learn More About You

The Sonata Form

    • 4 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Sonata Form & Movement Architecture

4 Videos

  • Sonata Characteristics & Composers
  • Sonata Form: Principles, Origins, Processes, & Theorists
  • Sonata Form Overview
  • Movement Architecture

1 Readings

  • Putting Sonatas Together

Scriabin

    • 5 Videos
    • 4 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
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1 Discussions

  • Sonata Form & Programmatic Ideas

5 Videos

  • The Russian Piano Sonata
  • Scriabin's Early Sonatas
  • Scriabin's Piano Sonata no. 5, op. 53
  • Scriabin's Late Sonatas
  • Scriabin's Piano Sonata No. 10, Op. 70

4 Readings

  • Alexander Scriabin (1871-1915)
  • Introduction to Scriabin's Fifth Sonata
  • Introduction to Scriabin's Late Sonatas
  • Introduction to Scriabin's Tenth Sonata

Rachmaninov & Medtner

    • 3 Videos
    • 3 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Scriabin, Rachmaninov & Medtner

1 Discussions

  • Exploring Characteristics of Medtner's Style

3 Videos

  • Sergei Rachmaninov (1873-1943)
  • Medtner's Piano Sonatas
  • Medtner's G Minor Sonata

3 Readings

  • Sergei Rachmaninov (1873-1943)
  • Nikolai Medtner (1880-1951)
  • Introduction to Medtner's G Minor Sonata

Prokofiev & Other Russian Composers

    • 5 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Prokofiev & Other Russian Composers

1 Discussions

  • Prokofiev & Characterization

5 Videos

  • Sergei Prokofiev Sonatas
  • Prokofiev's Second Sonata
  • Prokofiev's War Sonatas
  • Prokofiev's Sixth Sonata
  • More Russian Sonata Composers

2 Readings

  • Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953)
  • Introduction to Prokofiev's War Sonatas (1939-1944)

Ravel, Dutilleux, & Berg

    • 4 Videos
    • 3 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Ravel, Dutilleux, & Berg

4 Videos

  • 20th and 21st Century Composers
  • Ravel's Sonatine
  • Dutilleux's Sonata
  • Berg's Piano Sonata op. 1

3 Readings

  • Introduction to Maurice Ravel's Sonatine
  • Introduction to Henri Dutilleux's Sonata
  • Introduction to Alban Berg's Sonata

Hindemith, Ives, & Barber

    • 3 Videos
    • 4 Readings
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3 Videos

  • Hindemith's Third Sonata
  • Ives's Piano Sonata no. 2 "Concord, Mass., 1840-1860"
  • Barber's Sonata in E-Flat minor, op. 26

4 Readings

  • Introduction to Paul Hindemith's Third Sonata
  • Introduction to Charles Ives's "Concord Sonata"
  • Ives's Father's Influence and Social Context of Piano Sonata no. 2
  • Introduction to Samuel Barber's Sonata

Boulez, Early 20th Century, & Contemporary Sonatas

    • 1 Videos
    • 3 Readings
    • 2 Discussion
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Hindemith, Ives, Barber, and Boulez

2 Discussions

  • Ives vs. Boulez
  • Tensions Between Modernity & Tradition

1 Videos

  • Boulez's Sonata no. 2

3 Readings

  • Introduction to Pierre Boulez's Second Sonata
  • Overview of Early Twentieth Century Sonatas
  • More Recent Sonatas

Conclusion

    • 1 Readings
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1 Readings

  • Post-Course Survey

Honors Lesson

    • 3 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Honors Lesson Commitment

1 Discussions

  • End of Course Discussion

3 Readings

  • Honors Lesson: Score Analysis
  • Formal Analysis: Scriabin's Sonata No. 3 in F# minor, op. 23
  • Answer Key: Scriabin's Sonata No. 3 in F# minor, p. 23

Auto Summary

Explore the revitalization of the piano sonata in the 20th century with a focus on Russian composers in "The Piano Sonata: Russian and 20th-21st Century Composers." This professional-level course, offered by Coursera and filmed at the University of Michigan, delves into Neo-Classical and avant-garde styles, featuring both well-known and contemporary compositions. Ideal for music enthusiasts and professionals, it spans 780 minutes and is available through Starter and Professional subscription options.

Matthew Bengtson
Instructor

Matthew Bengtson