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The Story of Great Music
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Introduction
Instructions & Setup5 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. Beethoven9 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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Dvorak's Life and Music (60 min)
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Watch Dvorak's Symphony 9 "From the New World" (45 min)
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Grieg's Life and Music (80 min)
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Watch Grieg's Piano Concerto (40 min)
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Listen: Romantic Nationalism Recordings
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{+} Listening Journal
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{+} Research Papers
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{+} Projects
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{+} Smetana's "My Country"
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{+} Dvorak's Great Symphonies
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Dvorak's Life and Music (60 min)
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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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Watch Debussy's "La Mer" (24 min)
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Ravel's Life and Music (55 min)
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Watch 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
Lesson 8,
Step 6
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{+} Beethoven’s 32 Piano Sonatas
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Beethoven’s 32 piano sonatas are among the most important works in the history of Western music. They serve as a musical autobiography, showcasing his artistic evolution and pioneering spirit. These sonatas push the limits of piano technique and expression, demonstrating Beethoven’s unique personality—bold, innovative, and deeply expressive.
The sonatas are often divided into three periods:
- Early Period (1795–1802) – These sonatas, influenced by Haydn and Mozart, follow classical forms but already show Beethoven’s originality. Works like the Pathétique Sonata (No. 6) display dramatic contrasts and powerful emotions.
- Middle Period (1803–1814) – Marked by greater complexity and bold experimentation, this period includes famous sonatas such as the Waldstein (No. 21) and Appassionata (No. 23), which explore new textures, harmonies, and structures.
- Late Period (1815–1822) – These sonatas are deeply introspective, often mystical, and structurally unconventional. Works like the Hammerklavier (No. 29) and the final three sonatas (Nos 30-32) push the boundaries of musical form and express profound philosophical depth.
Beethoven’s sonatas transformed the piano into a powerful vehicle for personal expression, influencing generations of composers and redefining what music could achieve.
The famous Austrian pianist, Rudolf Buchbinder, has recorded all of his sonatas. It is a wonderful experience to listen through them in order. But it will take a little while – there are a lot!