Piano, Piano: The Cultural History of the Piano

In this seminar we will take a closer look at the culture(s) surrounding one of the most popular musical instruments in the Western world and its place in people’s lives, in our imagination, and in the musical industry. Despite its rather ‘high-brow culture’ reputation, the piano has in fact shaped the past three hundred years of Western life in more than just musical ways, and our course will map the piano’s place in our culture and the way in which we educate and entertain ourselves. Space, time, leisure and the piano have formed various combinations that speak to all of our senses, and it is these combinations that will make our topic so fascinating and multi-faceted.3 hrs. sem.