Theorizing Timbre

Teaching and Learning | Syllabi

MUTH 652: Seminar in Music Theory—Theorizing Timbre Schulich School of Music of McGill University, Fall 2019
Robert Hasegawa

Long dismissed as a “secondary parameter,” timbre has become increasingly central to contemporary musical practice and scholarship. This seminar will confront the challenges of conceptualizing timbre and orchestration through analysis of musical works (mostly from the past fifty years), study of theories and treatises, and discussion of recent research in music theory, musicology, and music cognition. Coursework includes weekly listening and analysis, short written assignments, in- class presentations, and a final analytical paper.

Complete PDF of Syllabus with Weekly Topics here.