Music As a Social Phenomenon
Module: Cultural analysis -identity and innovation-
Matter: Art, cultural heritage, and experience
Main language of instruction: Catalan
Head instructor
Lc. Alexandre ROBLES - aroblesf@uic.es
Office hours
Will be agreed by email according to the needs of the students .
The main objective of this course is to offer guidelines that allow us to better understand the works of the universal repertoire, to recognise the different models and reference points of musical culture.
Following the thread of history and the aesthetic ideas linked to music, similarities with other cultural references will be established, with the links and connections of what this implies at a social level.
The musical experience is not unique and offers different readings; at least as many as there are listeners. Furthermore, musical creation –even with the examples of oral tradition and improvisation– is subordinated to two moments: that of the creator and that of the interpreter. Although, as we have already observed, these two layers overlap on many occasions.
All this is added to the fact that, throughout history, the interpretative model and style are subordinated to the idea that emanates from a text and not from a sound record. It is not until after the invention of the analogue and later digital registers that a change has taken place, or an additional element to be taken into account has been added: the history of recordings. But this fact is still very recent and does not occur until the turn of the 20th century.
Note: The main language of the course is Catalan. The materials are in Catalan, Spanish and English. At least a passive knowledge of all three languages is a given.
• To provide tools to perceive, understand and comprehend the musical phenomenon at a sensitive and intellectual level.
• The student will recognise the elements of musical language, styles, ideas and form.
• The student will connect music to other disciplines and activities.
1. Presentation of the contents and procedures of the course.
2. Analysis of styles, models and references of musical culture.
3. Study of the elements of musical discourse: elements of language, symbols and sources.
4. The historical and social context linked to the musical phenomenon.
5. Aesthetic ideas and aesthetics of music.
6. Comparative analysis of the works in relation to the current visual and sound elements.
7. Musical criticism and analysis of programming models.
1. Prepare the syllabus and sessions, attend and participate actively in class.
2. Read the texts, bibliography and recommended articles.
3. Present a choral work (in pairs or groups of 3 people) on one of the topics proposed in class and give an oral and written presentation.
4. Carry out an individual project on a proposed practical activity (outside of the classroom): critique of a live concert and/or a concert broadcast on the radio, television or internet.
5. A final exam: question of the syllabus; analysis of a text; recognition and analysis of a musical work.
Attendance and participation in class: 20%.
Presentation (oral and written) of a choral work (in pairs or trios) on one of the proposed topics: 25%.
Individual project on a proposed practical activity: 25%.
Final exam: 30%.