Concert Masterworks

Gain a new level of listening sophistication as you learn to open your ears to a composer’s creative intentions.

Overview

Course No. 710

What happens in a composer’s mind when creating masterpieces like Mozart’s concertos or Beethoven’s symphonies? This 32-lecture series reveals the creative processes behind history’s greatest musical works, helping you develop deeper listening skills—no technical training required.

Professor Greenberg, a professional composer, guides you through:

• The structure and narrative of iconic works by Mozart, Beethoven, Dvořák, Strauss, Brahms, and more
• How societal and artistic contexts shaped each composition
• The “agonizing creative blur” vs. “pure inspiration” debate in classical composition

Featured Composers:

Mozart • Beethoven • Dvořák • Strauss • Brahms • Mendelssohn • Liszt

Video Lectures

Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 25 in C Major

01: Movement I (48 min)
02: Movement II (48 min)
03: Movement III (46 min)
04: Movement IV (47 min)

Beethoven’s “Emperor” Concerto No. 5

05: Movement I (47 min)
06: Movement II (47 min)
07: Movement III (46 min)
08: Movement IV (47 min)

Dvořák’s “New World” Symphony

09: Movement I (44 min)
10: Movement II (48 min)
11: Movement III (46 min)
12: Movement IV (47 min)

Strauss’s Death and Transfiguration

13: Part I (47 min)
14: Part II (47 min)
15: Part III (46 min)
16: Part IV (47 min)

Beethoven’s Violin Concerto

17: Movement I (44 min)
18: Movement II (47 min)
19: Movement III (47 min)
20: Movement IV (47 min)

Brahms’s Violin Concerto

21: Movement I (46 min)
22: Movement II (46 min)
23: Movement III (47 min)
24: Movement IV (46 min)

Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream

25: Incidental Music I (47 min)
26: Incidental Music II (42 min)
27: Overture I (44 min)
28: Overture II (44 min)

Liszt’s Totentanz

29: Part I (47 min)
30: Part II (46 min)
31: Part III (45 min)
32: Part IV (46 min)