Assistant Professor of Music, Piano Literature
The Piano Sonata: Russian and 20th-21st Century Composers
What You'll Learn
- Learn how the piano sonata was revitalized in the 20th century.
- Study both Neo-Classical and avant-garde styles.
- Explore the work of Russian composers, such as Scriabin, Medtner, and Prokofiev.
4 Modules
12 Hours
3 hrs per module (approx.)
Rating
About The Piano Sonata: Russian and 20th-21st Century Composers
In this course, you’ll review sonata form and learn how the piano sonata was revitalized in the 20th century, with a particular attention to composers from Russia, where the sonata was an especially popular and successful genre. You’ll study some of the most influential piano sonatas of the 20th century, in both Neo-Classical and avant-garde styles. This course will also expose you to a variety of lesser-known and more recent compositions, showing how the piano sonata genre continues to expand and to thrive.
This course was filmed at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance, among other locations, to showcase the depth of the sonata repertoire and the instruments that contributed to its history.
Skills You'll Gain
- Music History
- Music Theory
What You'll Earn
- Certificate of Completion:
- Certificates of completion acknowledge knowledge acquired upon completion of a non-credit course or program.
Welcome Message
Welcome to The Piano Sonata: Russian and 20th–21st Century Composers, part of the Exploring Piano Literature series. This course examines how composers revitalized the sonata in modern, neo-classical, and avant-garde contexts.
This abbreviated syllabus description was created with the help of AI tools and reviewed by staff. The full syllabus is available to those who enroll in the course.
Course Schedule
Module 1: Setting the Stage
- Video: Course Introduction: Setting the Stage
- Reading: Course Syllabus
- Discussion Prompt: Introduce Yourself
- Reading: Help Us Learn More About You
- Reading: Putting Sonatas Together
- Video: Sonata Characteristics & Composers
- Video: Sonata Form: Principles, Origins, Processes, & Theorists
- Video: Sonata Form Overview
- Video: Movement Architecture
- Graded: Sonata Form & Movement Architecture
Module 2: Russian Composers
- Video: The Russian Piano Sonata
- Reading: Alexander Scriabin (1871-1915)
- Video: Scriabin's Early Sonatas
- Reading: Introduction to Scriabin's Fifth Sonata
- Video: Scriabin's Piano Sonata no. 5, op. 53
- Reading: Introduction to Scriabin's Late Sonatas
- Video: Scriabin's Late Sonatas
- Reading: Introduction to Scriabin's Tenth Sonata
- Video: Scriabin's Piano Sonata No. 10, Op. 70
- Discussion Prompt: Sonata Form & Programmatic Ideas
- Reading: Sergei Rachmaninov (1873-1943)
- Video: Sergei Rachmaninov (1873-1943)
- Reading: Nikolai Medtner (1880-1951)
- Video: Medtner's Piano Sonatas
- Reading: Introduction to Medtner's G Minor Sonata
- Video: Medtner's G Minor Sonata
- Discussion Prompt: Exploring Characteristics of Medtner's Style
- Reading: Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953)
- Video: Sergei Prokofiev Sonatas
- Video: Prokofiev's Second Sonata
- Reading: Introduction to Prokofiev's War Sonatas (1939-1944)
- Video: Prokofiev's War Sonatas
- Video: Prokofiev's Sixth Sonata
- Video: More Russian Sonata Composers
- Discussion Prompt: Prokofiev & Characterization
- Graded: Scriabin, Rachmaninov & Medtner
- Graded: Prokofiev & Other Russian Composers
Module 3: 20th and 21st Century Composers
- Video: 20th and 21st Century Composers
- Reading: Introduction to Maurice Ravel's Sonatine
- Video: Ravel's Sonatine
- Reading: Introduction to Henri Dutilleux's Sonata
- Video: Dutilleux's Sonata
- Reading: Introduction to Alban Berg's Sonata
- Video: Berg's Piano Sonata op. 1
- Reading: Introduction to Paul Hindemith's Third Sonata
- Video: Hindemith's Third Sonata
- Reading: Introduction to Charles Ives's "Concord Sonata"
- Reading: Ives's Father's Influence and Social Context of Piano Sonata no. 2
- Video: Ives's Piano Sonata no. 2 "Concord, Mass., 1840-1860"
- Reading: Introduction to Samuel Barber's Sonata
- Video: Barber's Sonata in E-Flat minor, op. 26
- Reading: Introduction to Pierre Boulez's Second Sonata
- Video: Boulez's Sonata no. 2
- Discussion Prompt: Ives vs. Boulez
- Reading: Overview of Early Twentieth Century Sonatas
- Reading: More Recent Sonatas
- Discussion Prompt: Tensions Between Modernity & Tradition
- Graded: Ravel, Dutilleux, & Berg
- Graded: Hindemith, Ives, Barber, and Boulez
Module 4: Course Conclusion and Honors Track Formal Analysis
- Reading: Post-Course Survey
- Reading: Honors Lesson: Score Analysis
- Reading: Formal Analysis: Scriabin's Sonata No. 3 in F# minor, op. 23
- Reading: Answer Key: Scriabin's Sonata No. 3 in F# minor, p. 23
- Discussion Prompt: End of Course Discussion
- Graded: Honors Lesson Commitment
Grading Policy
Learners complete graded quizzes across all modules. There are five quizzes, and each is worth 20% of their final grade. Optional Honors activities are ungraded.
Intermediate Level
Some related experience required
Course Video
What Learners Are Saying
This course series offers a unique opportunity for music lovers who want to gain a better understanding of piano sonata literature and for music students who want to refine their knowledge. All learners will have an opportunity to study music from many different angles…
Matthew Bengtson Assistant Professor of Music, Piano Literature
