Course Description

Instructor: Sally Kann

The orchestral symphony as a music art form was greatly expanded in the Classical period, through the innovative contributions of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven. In our listening and discussion, we trace the evolution of not only symphonic composition, but of conducting, orchestral instrumentation, which brought new textures and sonorities to the form, and the role of the symphony in effecting social change. The introductory class will provide background; the following four classes will concentrate on a single movement form, beginning with Movement I. The last two classes in the course explore further development of the symphonic form into the 21st century. Listening and reading guides will be provided for each class.

Bio: Sally is a life-long musician, with 44 years as a violist in regional symphony orchestras, 15 years as a church soloist, and 22 years as an alto with the ASO 
Chorus. She currently serves on the board o the ATL Symphony Musicians Foundation, where she works to fulfill her passion of promoting the 
symphonic arts in the Atlanta community. 2023 marks her 7th year of teaching the series ‘The Composer’s Universe’ at OLLI.