ILP #1--part 1

For my learning project I signed up for a Mooch course called "Stravinsky's Rite of Spring: Modernism, Ballet, and Riots." The subject was early twentieth century music and it centered primarily around France, during a tumultuous period of great cultural and social upheaval. Interesting to note, the Mooch course is split up into two sections. One details the arrival of composer Igor Stravinsky into the musical scene.

A Russian-born classical composer, Stravinsky was a pioneer in establishing a fresh modern sound that reinvigorated an over-waltzed Hungarian hierarchy prominent  during the turn of the century. His oeuvre ran the gamut of classical styles--show pieces; opera; symphonies; chamber works; trio and solo works; chorus--which garnered him much attention and acclaim. The course stresses the importance of one piece in particular, the operatic orchestral work, The Rite of Spring. The opera features an episodic structure; each episode focused on a different pagan ritual; adorations to the creative spirit of spring, common occurrences in the fictionalized world created on stage. Sexual intrigue, ritualistic sacrifice and monotheistic figure heads litter the stage and are accompanied by a score that has been labeled "animalistic," "orgasmic," and "vile." Though controversial at the time, the opera has lived on to influence many of the leading 20th century composers and solidified Igor Stravinsky as an abject original to be remembered for the centuries to come.   

Easy to read interface .

Example tracks run the gamut of musical styles

The opera's infamy is told in tandem with the history of France. In part one of the course,  plans are split into lessons (1-5) which delve into the basic history of Russian music. Lessons 1-3 delve into basic elements of musical composition as well as classical styles, popular and old fashioned during the period. Chapters are dictated in a way as for those with little to know musical experience may parcel through, undeterred by the expansiveness of the subject. Important terminology is emphasized in bold italics (Standard AABA form, semi/quarter tines, internal repetition) hammering home any potential importance come testing time. 

Supplementary videos to a nice job of familiarizing the student with listening examples. 

Of course, what good is a music history course without listening examples? Presented throughout part-1 are videos with musicians, pianists mostly,  presenting excerpts from the Rite Of Spring, section by section and how it relates to Stravinsky's musical style. Interspersed throughout are matching question blocks that ask you to summarized the contents of the readings and videos up to that point. They're fairly thorough, which presented a reasonable challenge.

Opera house where The Rite of Spring was premiered.

The final chapters for part one then focus on France form the turn of the century to 1913. A hotbed for a plethora of artists , performers, writers, and philosophers. This last section was presented more like a standard history lecture with multiple choice question blocks book-ending the section. 

In part two  I will go over the 2nd half of the MOOC course which delved into the musical elements of the Rite of Spring.....