To explore methods of analysis of 20th-century music.

To apply analytical techniques appropriately to relevant musical scores and recordings.

To extend or adapt existing techniques to suit a range of new musics.

(LO1) Students will learn about new techniques of analysis, and will be able to critically engage with previous studies.

(LO2) Students will be able to apply appropriate techniques to examples of works from the repertory under scrutiny.

(LO3) Students will be able to creatively adapt the tools taught to suit different pieces of music.

(LO4) Students will engage with a broad repertoire of 20th Century pieces in depth.

(S1) Problem solving/ critical thinking/ creativity analysing facts and situations and applying creative thinking to develop appropriate solutions.

(S2) Communication, listening and questioning respecting others, contributing to discussions, communicating in a foreign language, influencing, presentations.

(S3) Positive attitude/ self-confidence A 'can-do' approach, a readiness to take part and contribute; openness to new ideas and the drive to make these happen.

Weekly lectures introduce analytical topics that have been developed to help understand the workings of music from the period concerned. These methods are applied, critiqued, expanded or new methods developed through workshops and seminars. Preparation for seminars includes reading analyses of scholars throughout the last century, and discussions will help focus ideas and sharpen students’ own original analytical work. Assessment will involve an essay and a presentation and a presentation to allow the student to creatively explore set works using the range of strategies on offer, and develop bespoke techniques where appropriate. Details of the syllabus will respond to developments in scholarship, but an indicative syllabus would include:

Twentieth-century harmony.

Ultra-chromatic chords.

Pitch-class set theory and Schoenberg’s Klavierstuck.

Webern and pitch-class critique.

Debussy’s Quartet and pitch-class genera.

Octatonicism critiqued: The Rite of Spring.

Skryabin and voice-leading approaches.

Riemannian Funktionstheorie Ives the serialist.

Paradigmatic Analysis: Varese & Debussy Stravinsky and Montage.

Techniques Polytonality Tonal Atonality.

Teaching Method 1 - Lecture Description: Lectures introduce core material and methods Teaching Method 2 - Seminar Description: Seminars facilitate further discussion of key concepts through small group discussion and workings-out