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TopGEH1060: Social History of the Piano (Jan 2018)

Dr. Koo, Siaw-Sing
muskss@nus.edu.sg; 6516-7477; Studio 15

Course Description
An interdisciplinary study of how societies and different generations responded to the invention of the piano. This module focuses on the social history of the piano throughout the past three centuries, canvassing a wide array of performers, composers, supporters, manufacturers, “heroes”, politicians, teachers and students. Various expressions of ideologies from differing periods eventually revolutionized and effectuated the versatility of the piano, shaping a legacy, which led to the “globalization” of the piano, including Asia. Students will learn through lectures, readings, discussions, listening, playing, and attending piano concerts and master classes.

Assessment
Two Reports: My Story and Observation   25%
Group Project                                             30%
Two Fun Quizzes                                       25%
Class Participation and Preparation           20%

Assignments
My Story Report (Due Feb 12, W5)

Write 1-2 page of report and share it in three minutes on week 5
How do you relate piano to your life?
What was your thought or childhood’s memory about playing piano?
How has society influenced your view on the piano?
What is your observation about society and piano?

Observation Report (Due Apr 16, W13)

Write 1-2 page of report and share it in three minutes on week 12 or 13
Evaluate a piano performance AND a piano master class or lecture
Talk to the audiences and performers if possible
Observe the concert’s environment
What was being discussed in a master class or lecture?
Submit the concert and master class or lecture programs

Group Research Project and Presentation:

Five students per group as a sale team of a piano company
You will be assigned a piano company: Broadwood, Clementi, Graf, Erard
Include the unique piano specifications and features, company’s background and sales, and its impact upon the society
Include performers, teachers, public, composers and compositions in relation to the piano
Powerpoint presentation and piano demonstration on week 11 or 12
Write a 5-10 pages paper: Each 1-2 page (Due Apr 19, W13)

Class Participation and Preparation

Report presentation, discussion, and attendance
Effort in demonstrating at the keyboard, week 6 & 10

References
*Parakilas, James. Piano Roles. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1999.
*Isacoff, Stuart. A Natural History of the Piano. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2011.
*Loesser, Arthur. Men, Women & Pianos: A Social History. New York: Dover, 1990.
Burnett, Richard. Company of Pianos. Kent: Finchcocks Press, 2004.
Montparker, Carol. A Pianist’s Landscape. Portland: Amadeus Press, 1998.

Schedule

	Monday Tutorial	Thursday Lecture	Suggested Reading
1			PR	NHP	MWP
2		Early Keyboard Role		1	I.1
3	Keyboard Topography	Happy Birthday Piano	1	2	I.2-5
4	Baroque Practice	Growing Popularity	1..		I.6-15
5	My Story Report	Design & Development	2
6	Skill Demo 1	Piano Revolution	3	3
	BREAK
7	Conquering Mechanism	Piano Lesson	4	6
8	Let’s Make Music Together	Social Phenomena	5	4
9	SOS, Quiz 1	C’est la vie	6	5
10	Skill Demo 2	Conquering the World	8	12-14
11	Project Presentation 2 grp	Masculine Expression		7, 9
12	Project Presentation 1 grp; Observation Report	Feminine Expression		8, 10
13	Observation Report, Quiz 2	Asian Expression	9	15

Piano Concerts at YSTCM
2/3                 Visiting Artist: Paul Lewis
9/3                 Lunchtime Series: Piano (ACM)
14/3               Quentin Kim Piano Recital
20/3               Sengkang Health Lunchtime Concert (Alexander hospital)
24/3               Claude Debussy, Musicien Francais
28/3               Ebony, Ivory, and Rosewood: A Celebration of piano & percussion
3/4                 The French Connection: Masterworks for Two Pianos
8/4                 Leeds International Piano Competition Preliminary Round
9/4                 Sonatensatz: Hecht Studio Concert
10/4               Conservatory Orchestra: Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 2

Piano Masterclass at YSTCM
2-4/3             Thomas Hecht
2-4/3              Albert Tiu
6/3                 Murray Perahia
16/3               Quentin Kim
8/4                 Noriko Ogawa

Preclusions

TopNil

Workload

Top1-1-0-4-4

Workload Components : A-B-C-D-E
A: no. of lecture hours per week
B: no. of tutorial hours per week
C: no. of lab hours per week
D: no. of hours for projects, assignments, fieldwork etc per week
E: no. of hours for preparatory work by a student per week

Module Overview

Prerequisites

Syllabus

Preclusions

Workload