SYMPHONY SEMINAR – PREPARATION 1

(F-09)

For Monday 14 September

Posted online and also on reserve in the Music Library are two 18^th-century discussions of the symphony. One is my translation of excerpts from The Music Critic (Des critischen Musikus) by J. A. Scheibe (1745). The other is an article on the symphony written by J. A. P. Schultz for Sulzer’s Dictionary of the Arts published in 1774.

Read both articles carefully. Some passages are obscure. They call for interpretation and/or additional information.

Please write out brief answers to the following questions:

1. Does Scheibe define a symphony? Briefly paraphrase his definition. How does it differ from what we mean by a symphony today?

2. What does Scheibe mean by harmony? How does his meaning differ from the way we use the word today?

3. Does Schultz define a symphony? Briefly paraphrase his definition. How does it differ from what we mean by a symphony today?

4. Why does Schultz mention an “instrumental chorus”? Why does he mention a “Pindaric ode”? What is the purpose of these comparisons?

5. What things does Scheibe discuss about symphonies that are missing from Shultz? What things does Schultz discuss that are missing from Scheibe?

You may write your answers out by hand or type them (better). Try to be concise. We’ll discuss the readings in class based on your answers, then you’ll hand them in and I’ll give you any additional comments I may have. We’ll also listen to some 18^th-century symphonies and discuss how well they seem to fit Scheibe and Schultz’s descriptions.

If you have any questions, send me an Email.