Sunday - 10th March 2013- 3.30 pm

The Catholic Centre, 2 Duke's Avenue, Chiswick, W4 2AE (Opposite Chiswick Library) See location map.

Sandy writes:

A few words about this Crash Course in Classical Music? The initial reason I put it together is that there are many people out there - including many of my friends - who are interested in knowing more about classical music but don't know where to start. This course is meant for them, people who feel comfortable discussing the latest Booker prize-winning novel, analysing a new film release, taking a view on a recent development in contemporary architecture, but for whom classical music remains a frustratingly closed book. I'll be tackling four key areas of classical music: Baroque, Classical, Romantic and twentieth-century in the course of the afternoon, and focussing on a major work from each.

They are:

JS Bach: Prelude & Fugue in C major (Well-Tempered Clavier Book 1)

Mozart: B flat String Quartet K458, "the Hunt"

Mahler: Symphony no 1

Stravinsky: Le Sacre du Printemps/Rite of Spring

I'll look at the cultural context in each case, analyse the music, focus on some salient moments, and provide a glossary of key terms. This illustrated lecture will give you a clear understanding of the essential elements of music in each era; after it, you'll be able to listen to music with fresh ears and greater understanding. This Crash Course is part of the Classic Discovery series of lectures and performances which introduce intelligent adults to classical music - more information is at www.classicdiscovery.com.