The Story of Great Music
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Introduction
What You Need to Begin5 Steps -
The Renaissance and Baroque Eras1. Renaissance8 Steps|1 Quiz
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2. Early Baroque11 Steps|1 Quiz
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The Italian Baroque (40 min)
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Watch Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" (35 min)
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The English Baroque: Purcell (35 min)
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The German Baroque (30 min)
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Listen: Early Baroque Recordings
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{+} Listening Journal
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{+} Research Papers
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{+} Projects
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{+} The French Baroque (25 min)
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{+} German Harpsichord Music (20 min)
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{+} Italian Baroque Oratorios & Opera
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The Italian Baroque (40 min)
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3. Handel10 Steps|1 Quiz
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4. Bach13 Steps|1 Quiz
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The Life of Bach (50 min)
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A Personal Portait: Bach
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Bach's Chamber & Orchestral Music (50 min)
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Bach's Large Choral Works (60 min)
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Listen: Bach Recordings
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{+} Listening Journal
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{+} Research Papers
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{+} Projects
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{+} Bach's Keyboard Music
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{+} Bach's Organ Music
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{+} Bach's Cantatas
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{+} Bach's Mass in B Minor
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{+} Bach’s “Goldberg Variations” & Glenn Gould
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The Life of Bach (50 min)
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The Classical Era5. Haydn9 Steps|1 Quiz
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6. Mozart10 Steps|1 Quiz
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7. Beethoven8 Steps|1 Quiz
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The Romantic Era8. Early German Romantics9 Steps|1 Quiz
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Schubert's Life & Music (55 min)
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Mendelssohn's Life & Music (60 min)
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Schumann's Life & Music (55 min)
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Watch Full Works by Early German Romantics (Varies)
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Listen: Schubert, Mendelssohn & Schumann Recordings
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{+} Listening Journal
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{+} Research Papers
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{+} Projects
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{+} Watch a fun documentary on Schubert's "Trout" Quintet
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Schubert's Life & Music (55 min)
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9. French Romantics8 Steps|1 Quiz
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10. Masters of the Piano8 Steps|1 Quiz
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11. Romantic Opera9 Steps|1 Quiz
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12. Brahms8 Steps|1 Quiz
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13. Romantic Nationalism10 Steps|1 Quiz
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14. Russian Romantics9 Steps|1 Quiz
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The Russian Five (70 min)
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Watch Pictures at an Exhibition by Mussorgsky (35 min)
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Tchaikovsky's Life and Music (60 min)
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Watch a Full Work by Tchaikovsky (35-45 min)
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Listen: Russian Romantics Recordings
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{+} Listening Journal
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{+} Research Papers
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{+} Projects
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{+} Tchaikovsky's Other Symphonies & Orchestral Works
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The Russian Five (70 min)
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The 20th Century15. French Impressionism10 Steps|1 Quiz
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Debussy's Life and Music (65 min)
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Listen to Debussy's "La Mer" (24 min)
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Ravel's Life and Music (55 min)
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Listen to Ravel's Piano Concerto in G (25 min)
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Listen: French Impressionism Recordings
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{+} Listening Journal
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{+} Research Papers
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{+} Projects
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{+} Other Great Works by Ravel
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{+} Listen to Gabriel Fauré's Requiem
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Debussy's Life and Music (65 min)
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16. Finland, England, & America9 Steps|1 Quiz
Listen: Handel Recordings
In one respect, both Handel and Bach have been best known through the history of music for their vocal music. As a result, there are many excellent recordings of their works. Handel’s Messiah has an enormous number of representative examples. I will therefore include my favorite selection, but will also include a number of additional options beneath if I feel like it is necessary.
For example, the modern movement toward playing music with ‘original’ instruments (that is, actual instruments from the period or reproductions) along with using historically informed styles means that the music can sound quite different than playing the same piece with modern instruments and using more traditional styles. I sometimes prefer one over the other, or sometimes I like hearing both.
All to say, Baroque music has representatives in both schools, and I will try to include them both in the playlists.
If you’re coming back to listen, remember that we have steps on how to set up your listening environment and equipment, how to use music streaming apps and follow our public playlists, and plenty of additional listening exercises to deepen your understanding and enjoyment of this wonderful music.
Spotify Playlists