Short course
Aspects of Mozart
Course status:
Applications being accepted
Dates and time:
21/01/2027 - 18/02/202716:30 - 18:30
Study format:
In-person weekly
Fees:
£190.00
By common consent, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 – 1791) is one of the greatest composers who ever lived. This course will trace his musical development through key musical genres to which he contributed, including the symphony, the concerto, the string quartet and above all opera. We will also discuss the circumstances under which his music was composed, including his dealings with other composers, performers, patrons and employers. As well as recorded and live musical examples, extracts from his vivid correspondence will be included. No specialist knowledge is needed for full participation, just an interest in listening to music and finding out more about it.
Book this course
Book your place online using the button below.
Course starts Thursday 21 January 2027
This is an in-person course which requires your attendance at the weekly meetings in Oxford on Thursdays, 4.30-6.30pm.
Week 1: Mozart and the symphony
Week 2: Mozart and the concerto
Week 3: The chamber music of Mozart
Week 4: Mozart and opera I
Week 5: Mozart and opera II
Course aims
Course aim: To provide an overview of Mozart’s music.
Course objectives:
• To provide a structured account of Mozart’s creative development.
• To place Mozart’s creative evolution in the context of the history of music in the later eighteenth century
• To arrive at an assessment of the contribution made by Mozart to the development of music and of his contemporary and posthumous influence.
Learning outcomes
As a result of attending the course, students will have acquired:
• A broad knowledge of Mozart’s music.
• An understanding of the ways in which Mozart’s approach to composition changed and developed.
• The ability to place the Mozart’s work in the broader context of musical developments in the later eighteenth century.
Level and demands
The Department’s Weekly Classes are taught at first year undergraduate level.
Teaching methods
Teaching methods will consist of lectures and class discussions, both of which will include pre-recorded musical examples and some live musical performance by the tutor. As well as discussion and analysis of the music, certain key texts of the period will also be read and discussed.
Assessment methods
This course is not accredited, so there are no assessments or coursework.
Dr Peter Copley
Peter Copley D.Phil, MA, B.mus is a composer, cellist and pianist. He is a Departmental Tutor at Oxford Lifelong Learning and an Associate Lecturer for the Open University, where he has been a Research Associate for the music faculty.
Digital badge
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be issued with an official digital badge from the Department for Continuing Education, University of Oxford. In order to be issued with your badge, you will need to have attended at least 80% of the course.
After the course, you will receive an email with a link and instructions on how to download your digital badge. You will be able to add this badge to your email signature and share it on social media if you choose to do so.
Fees
| Description | Costs |
|---|---|
| Course fee | £190.00 |
Funding
If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, or are a care-leaver in the UK, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:
Concessionary fees for short courses
Recommended reading
Recommended reading is optional and you are not required to purchase these books to study this course.
Library facilities
All weekly class students may become borrowing members of the Rewley House Library, part of the Bodleian Libraries, for the duration of their course. Prospective students whose courses have not yet started are also welcome to use the Library for reference.
- More information about the Library can be found on the Bodleian Libraries website.
- This guide for Weekly Class students also provides further information.
Preparatory reading
- 1791 Mozart’s Last Year / Robbins Landon, H.C.
- Mozart The Golden Years / Robbins Landon, H.C.
- Mozart / Swafford, Jan
Module code: O26P511MSW
How to enrol
Please use the ‘Book now’ button on this page.
