The Curious Listener

This course is an introductory “listening” overview of a thousand years of Western Art Music. It proposes to enhance the concert-going experience through critical listening and historical awareness. No experience of formal musical training is necessary as this course is not intended for the advanced connoisseur of classical music. The class aims to foster an appreciation and an understanding of classical music through the development of basic listening and analytical skills while also covering terminology, forms and genres, and stylistic developments from the Middle Ages to today. This is essentially a listening course with discussion, and optional opportunities to listen at home. If possible, the class will attend a live concert in this area.

Required Reading: No books to purchase. Weekly handouts will provide links for optional review and preparation for each session. 

Paul Mueller is Professor Emeritus of the Music Department at Hunter College in Manhattan where he served as Director of Choral Activities and Chairman of the Music Department. An accomplished organist, he has an Artist’s Diploma at the Hochschule fur Musik in Vienna, under the auspices of a Fulbright grant. He also holds master’s and doctoral degrees in choral conducting from the Indiana University School of Music.