MHL 651 – SYMPHONY - TERM PAPER

(F-09)

 

The big assignment for this semester is a term paper of 15-20 pages on a topic having to do with the symphony in the 18th century.  The possibilities for a topic are just about infinite.  Indeed, one of the purposes of the assignment is to teach students how to formulate a topic.  Here are a few pointers:

            1)  Your topic should deal with music you like;

2)  Your topic should be something that you find interesting; you should be able to say in words what’s “interesting” about it;

3)  Your topic should be relatively compact; you should be able to state in words what your paper is going to be “about”;

4)  Sources should be available.

Your paper should be organized as an argument, with a statement of the issue(s), presentation of information, critical examination of that information as evidence for one or another view, and a conclusion.  You should refer to previous literature as necessary and cite your sources appropriately.  Musical examples should be labled, and here too you should cite your sources.

 

Where will you find your topic?  First of all, in the readings, repertory and issues that we cover in class.  Unfortunately we don’t get to some of the most interesting repertory and some interesting readings until late in the semester.  Look at the syllabus and ask me about things coming up later on that you think may interest you.  Look at composer names on the syllabus and sample some of their symphonies on Naxos to see whether you find something interesting.  Read the article by Jan LaRue on “Symphony” in New Groves to see whether some issue jumps out at you.  Look at the bibliography of that article and see whether the titles of articles suggest topics to you. 

 

Here are examples of areas where you may find a topic:

formal issue in several symphonies (e.g. slow intro, S-A development section)

compare parallel movements in 2 or more symphonies

a single, very interesting symphony

evolution of a composer’s style

performance practice of symphonies

relation of symphonies to other music (e.g. operas, masses, plays)

18th-century commentary on symphonies

contemporary reception of symphonies

social setting of a symphony or a group of symphonies

We’ll discuss topics several times in class.

 

Here is the timetable for the term paper.  I’ll pass out guidelines for each step as its due date approaches.  Please stick to the schedule.  I’ll grade down for late work.

Oct 12             Paper topic due

Nov  9             Discussion of sources due

Nov 23            Draft of paper due

Dec 14           Final version of paper due