Not offered 2007-2008
MUS 135 Isn't it Good, Norwegian Wood?: Storytelling in Music
The Beatles' song "Norwegian Wood" tells the story of a mysterious encounter between a man and a woman that either does or does not culminate in sex and/or arson. How do the
music and lyrics interact to communicate the dramatic events, emotions, and characters of
the song? More generally, how have stories been told in music through the centuries, and
why do some narratives retain a grip on our imagination? Even without text, music can
relate compelling narratives, such as the heroic struggle for transcendence suggested by
Beethoven's Fifth Symphony. What purely musical means do composers employ to tell
stories?
This course explores a broad range of archetypal narratives communicated in music: tales of
unrequited love and star-crossed lovers; heroic transcendence and Faustian bargains; conflict,
murder and revenge; and exotic and comic tales. Genres covered include chant, madrigals,
opera, song cycles, concertos, symphonies, tone poems, musicals, film, and ballet, as well as
popular ballads from country and western, the blues, and rock `n roll.
Format: lecture/discussion. Evaluation will be based on attendance and participation, several
short quizzes and papers, and a final exam.
No prerequisites. Enrollment limit: 30 (expected: 30). Preference given by class year (will
seek a balance of under- and upperclassmen) and interest in music.
BLOXAM and HIRSCH