Independent research on the part of pupils is essential to real mastery
of a subject. The following topics can be used as subjects for short
essays to be prepared by pupils. The material will be found in this
book and in the reference works mentioned in connection with the
various lessons.
LESSON XXV.—1. The Pianoforte in America. 2. Pianoforte Makers in the
19th Century. 3. Points of difference between the early Claviers and
the Modern Piano.
LESSON XXVI.—1. Comparison between the Early Venetian schools of
Painting and Music. 2. The composers of the Early Venetian school.
3. The composers of the Later Venetian school. 4. The development of
the Science of Thorough-Bass.
LESSON XXVII.—1. Queen Elizabeth as a Patron of Art. 2. Characteristics
of the Early French Clavier school. 3. Influence of the Early English
and French Clavier schools on subsequent Writings.
LESSON XXVIII.—1. German character as reflected in early music.
2. Comparison of Bach and Handel’s Clavier Works. 3. Influence exerted
by the Well-Tempered Clavichord.
LESSON XXIX.—1. Comparison between the Polyphonic and Harmonic styles.
2. Musical influence of J. S. Bach’s Children. 3. The First Sonatas
compared with Modern Music.
LESSON XXX.—1. German appreciation of music in Haydn’s time. 2. Haydn
as a man. 3. Haydn’s connection with Mozart.
LESSON XXXI.—1. Mozart’s character. 2. Mozart’s struggles with poverty.
3. Mozart’s contributions to form. 4. The Viennese school of this
period.
LESSON XXXII.—1. Beethoven’s character as shown in his letters.
2. Beethoven’s peculiarities. 3. Beethoven and his contemporaries.
LESSON XXXIII.—1. Beethoven’s manner of composing. 2. Beethoven’s love
of nature. 3. Effect of Beethoven upon succeeding composers.
LESSON XXXIV.—1. The points of superiority of the Violin over the Viol.
2. The three great makers of violins. 3. Why the violin is called the
King of Instruments.
LESSON XXXV.—1. The character of early violin music. 2. The development
of violin playing and composition. 3. Arrange the great players in
their respective schools.
LESSON XXXVI.—1. Classify the instruments of the orchestra. 2. Give a
sketch of the development of the orchestra, instruments added, etc.
3. Contrast Beethoven’s work with that of his predecessors and
successors. 4. What is the form of a Symphony? In what respects does
the form used by modern composers differ from that of the classical
symphony?