Learning objectives

The course aims to introduce students to the advanced study of music in its relationship with culture and society through the analysis of particularly relevant musical phenomena and works.

Prerequisites and basic notions

No prerequisites: it is not necessary to be able to read music. The basic musical concepts for the study of the compositions analysed in the course will be explained in class -- and are in any case discussed in the bibliography.

Program

The course focuses on music, society and culture in Renaissance European courts. It is divided into two parts. The first investigates the role and significance of music as a medium of communication between human beings and of construction of social groups, both today and in the past. The second part consists in a historical overview of the different uses of music in Renaissance European courts.

Bibliography
(The symbol * marks books that will available on Moodle after the beginning of the course)

-- lecture notes;
-- "Musica e società" a cura di Paolo Fabbri e Maria Chiara Bertieri, vol. 1, "Dall'alto Medioevo al 1640" Milano, McGraw-Hill, 2012 (o ristampe successive) only the following chapters: cap. III, PAOLO FABBRI, "Il Quattrocento", pp. 98-121); cap. IV, "PAOLO FABBRI, "Tra Quattro e Cinquecento", pp. 135-174;
-- FRANCO PIPERNO, "Musica e corti nella prima età moderna" in "Musiche nella storia. Dall'età di Dante alla Grande Guerra", a cura di Andrea Chegai [e altri], Roma, Carocci, 2017, pp. 75-130.
-- VINCENZO BORGHETTI, "Il repertorio musicale, i manoscritti e l’identità del principe", in "Cappelle musicali fra corte, stato e chiesa nell’Italia del Rinascimento", a cura di Franco Piperno, Gabriella Biagi Ravenni e Andrea Chegai, Firenze, Olschki, 2007, pp. 319-348.
-- * VINCENZO BORGHETTI, "La sovrana lettrice. Margherira d'Austria e il suo chansonnier (Bruxelles, Bibliothèque royale de Belgique, Ms 228)" in "Cara scientia mia, musica". Studi per Maria Caraci Vela, a cura di Angela Romagnoli [e altri], Pisa, ETS, 2018, pp. 43-63.
-- *VINCENZO BORGHETTI, "Musica e politica nelle corti del Rinascimento" (Course materials)
-- *VINCENZO BORGHETTI, "La musica a Roma, Napoli, Borgogna, Ferrara nel Rinascimento" (Course materials)
-- "La musica e il mondo: mecenatismo e committenza musicale in Italia tra Quattro e Settecento", a cura di Claudio Annibaldi, Bologna, Il Mulino, 1993, only the following essays: 1) Howard Mayer Brown, "Per un dibattito sul mecenatismo musicale tra Quattro e Settecento" (pp. 49-56); 2) *Allan Atlas, "Intorno a una messa per la corte aragonese di Napoli" (pp. 57-66).

If needed, further bibliography could be added during the therm

Didactic methods

Lectures with audio and video examples

Learning assessment procedures

Written test: three questions, to be answered in 1h and 30m. The three question will centre on the courts and musical works discussed in lectures and in the readings.

Evaluation criteria

. Evaluation criteria: proper use of specific vocabulary, knowledge of the fundamental aspects of the relationship between music and society, ability to analyze the pieces presented as case studies and locate them in their historical context.

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

The final mark will be made up as follows: 10 points for each of the 3 questions.

Exam language

Italiano (tedesco o inglese su richiesta)