10316 Musical Interpretation and Teaching Methods 1

Credits: 6 advanced credits in Music

Prerequisites: 36 credits for prior courses. Students must also fulfill all English requirements and take bibliographic instruction in the Library.

Recommended: Introduction to Music, The Music of Johann Sebastian Bach, Johann Sebastian Bach: Keyboard Music, The Classical Style, Beethoven: Romantic Rebel

Author: Arie Vardi, Zmira Lutzky

The course is intended for professional musicians, music teachers, musicians without formal music education, and amateurs with at least ten years of musical instrument playing experience in classical music and a corresponding level of knowledge in musical theory. The course focuses on chamber music for piano and string instruments, piano literature and piano instruction. Its objectives are to provide knowledge and understanding of musical interpretation and playing techniques; methodological and pedagogical training in teaching interpretation and technique; and developing a critical approach and creative thinking.

The materials include a series of 14 video cassettes produced by the Open University Broadcast Department under the direction of Prof. Arie Vardi, based on video materials recorded and filmed at the Music Center in Jerusalem. The films include selected excerpts from master classes given by Prof. Arie Vardi, musical performances, and conversations. They provide a glimpse of the world of outstanding teachers who offer a variety of opinions and approaches, and present a series of debates about controversial topics. The artists appearing in the films include Arthur Rubinstein, Pablo Casals, Isaac Stern, Zubin Mehta, Gina Bachauer, Pinkhas Zuckerman, William Steinberg, Jean-Pierre Rampal, Heather Harper, Maureen Forester, Leonard Rose, Eugene Istomin, Claude Franck, Alexander Schneider and others. The materials also include a reader with articles on interpretation and playing technique as well as two audiocassettes containing historical recordings.

Topics: The teacher and the student; The “what” and the “how”; Interpretation – key issues; Unimportant notes; The musical phrase; Arthur Rubinstein – simplicity of expression.


1Students may write a seminar paper in this course although it is not required.

Enrollment in the course is conditional on the approval of the course coordinator following a personal interview.