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Recommended Reading and Listening for Aspiring Music Students: A Guide to Prepare for University Studies

If you're planning to study music at the university level, immersing yourself in a well-rounded reading and listening regimen is crucial. To help you get started, we've compiled a list of recommended resources that will provide a solid foundation in various aspects of music study, from general understanding to specific topics like composition techniques and historical analysis.

General Reading and Listening

Essential Books to Kickstart Your Music Studies

Before diving into university-level music studies, it's beneficial to build a broad understanding of music. Here are a few inexpensive and highly informative paperbacks that might be available at your local library:

• Nicholas Cook, Music: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford University Press, 1998): This concise book offers a broad overview of music, touching on its history, theory, and cultural significance.
• J. P. E. Harper-Scott and Jim Samson, An Introduction to Music Studies (Cambridge University Press, 2009): A comprehensive guide to studying music at the university level, covering everything from music theory to critical analysis.
• Tia DeNora, Music in Everyday Life (Cambridge University Press, 2000): This book explores the role of music in everyday contexts, providing insights into its social and cultural functions.

Listening Critically

As you prepare for your studies, it's essential to listen to a wide range of music critically. If a score is available for the piece you're listening to, try to follow along to enhance your understanding of the structure and elements of the music.

Analysis

Introduction to Musical Analysis

Understanding musical analysis is a core component of studying music at the university level. To get started, you can refer to:

• New Grove Online article on Musical Analysis: An online resource offering in-depth articles on various aspects of musical analysis.
• Charles Rosen, The Classical Style (London: Faber, 1971): A classic text that delves into the musical style of the Classical period, providing insights into the works of Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven.

Techniques of Composition and Keyboard Skills

Developing Composition and Keyboard Skills

In your first year, you'll engage in style composition and keyboard skills tutorials. These resources will be particularly useful:

• David Ledbetter, Continuo Playing According to Handel (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1990): A guide to mastering continuo playing, essential for keyboard students.
• R.O. Morris and Howard Ferguson, Preparatory Exercises in Score-Reading (Oxford University Press, 1931; reprinted 1995): Exercises designed to enhance your score-reading abilities.
• Anna Butterworth, Stylistic Harmony, 2nd edn. (Oxford University Press, 1994): This book offers a deep dive into the techniques of stylistic harmony, crucial for composition students.

Special Topics

Exploring Specialized Areas of Music

Each year, you'll explore various special topics in your music studies. Here are some of the key topics for the 2015-2016 academic year, along with preliminary readings and listening suggestions:

Machaut’s Songs: Explore the music of Guillaume de Machaut, a significant figure in medieval music, with a focus on his love songs.

• Preliminary Reading: Elizabeth Eva Leach, Guillaume de Machaut: Secretary, Poet, Musician (Cornell University Press, 2011; paperback 2014).

Schubert’s Last Decade—the Instrumental Music: Study the rich instrumental works of Franz Schubert’s final decade, including symphonies and piano sonatas.

• Preliminary Reading: Christopher H. Gibbs, The Life of Schubert (Cambridge, 2000).
• Preliminary Listening: Works such as the 'Trout' Quintet, 'Death and the Maiden' Quartet, and Schubert’s last three piano sonatas.

Richard Strauss and Representations of Women: Analyze how Richard Strauss depicted women in his operas and tone poems, and what this reveals about his career and societal values.

• Preliminary Reading: Bryan Gilliam, The Life of Strauss (Cambridge, 1999).
• Preliminary Listening: Strauss’s operas Salome, Der Rosenkavalier, and Die Frau ohne Schatten, along with tone poems like Don Juan and the Four Last Songs.

Global Hip Hop: Examine the global expansion of hip-hop culture, with case studies from various countries.

• Preliminary Reading: Sujatha Fernandes, Close to the Edge: In Search of the Global Hip Hop Generation (Verso, 2011).

Conclusion

Preparing for university music studies involves more than just playing an instrument or singing; it requires a deep understanding of music theory, history, and cultural contexts. This curated list of readings and listening activities will provide you with a strong foundation to begin your journey. Embrace these resources and approach your studies with curiosity and critical thinking.