Romantic virtuosi

This module involves an in-depth exploration of instrumental virtuosity as a fundamental aspect of 19th century music and aesthetics.

Taking Niccolò Paganini and Franz Liszt as central figures, you will examine how the figure of the virtuoso was perceived and perceived themselves; how this archetype was tied in with ideas of individualism as well as the fascination with (and fear of) the 'other'; how the figure was perceived as quite unlike other people, and how different classes of listeners related to musical virtuosity.