Beethoven Part 2: The Post-Enlightenment World

The music of the late Enlightenment period (e.g., Mozart) had long been prized for its elegance, symmetry, melodicism, and stable architecture. However, by the end of the Napoleonic Wars in 1815, artistic sensibilities were beginning to change. Leading the vanguard in this was Beethoven, whose late works often reject the "rules" of the music he had grown up with. Join Professor Gil Harel as he discusses several late Beethoven works such as Symphony no. 9, the op. 132 string quartet, and others. In addition to analyzing the works as independent compositions, he will contextualize the place of these landmark compositions both in the Beethoven catalog and beyond. 

About Gil Harel

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.