The Art of the Song with Gil Harel

Another fascinating music lecture awaits! Join Professor Gil Harel as he discusses the art of the song.

The term "song" is nearly ubiquitous in the discussion of music. Gil will discuss the origin of the "Lied" (Art Song), which flourished in the 19th century in the very capable hands of composers such as Franz Schubert and Gustav Mahler. Working with expressive texts by celebrated poets such as Goethe and Heine, these composers were responsible for shaping the Art Song genre and elevating it to an unprecedented level. Gil will then take to the piano to illustrate how these songs work on a structural level, and how the composers who wrote them created sounds that resonate so vividly with the texts they frame. 

About the Presenter

Gil Harel (PhD, Brandeis University) is a musicologist and music theorist whose interests include styles ranging from western classical repertoire to jazz and musical theater. Previously, he served on the faculty at CUNY Baruch College (where he was awarded the prestigious "Presidential Excellence Award for Distinguished Teaching").

Currently, he is an Associate Professor of Music at Naugatuck Valley Community College, where he has been presented with the AFT "Merit Award for Exemplary Service to the College" for 4 consecutive years. In 2020, he was honored with the coveted Connecticut Board of Regents (BOR) Teaching Award. At NVCC, Dr. Harel conducts the college chorale, a cappella ensemble, teaches music history and theory, and serves as musical director of theater productions.