Study Group Details
515: French Musical Genius: Tracing the Evolution From Berlioz to Fauré
Wednesday11:45 - 1:15
Starting March 06
In-Person
Debussy (perhaps the most "French" of the French composers) said "music should humbly seek to give pleasure." French music, at least since Berlioz, has veered away from what the Italians and Germans (especially) were producing. We will explore French music as it begins to evolve from Berlioz into the early part of the 20th century. We will touch on Debussy, Fauré, Ravel, Satie and Poulenc (as well as Schmitt and Boulanger) as we discuss and present large scale choral works, French mélodie, opera and piano music. There will be some live performance and some exciting guest lecturers.
This study group is new
Class Type: Appreciation
Class Format: TBA
Hours of Reading: No required reading
Study Group Leader(s):
David Flaxman
David Flaxman is a tenor who sings with the Choral Arts Society of Washington and the Georgetown Chorale. He has been a passionate student of classical music throughout his life and a devotee of French culture. He is a semi-retired computer scientist who has written and taught on a variety of technology topics.