The Unanswered Question

Explores the origins and development of music and language, with a performance of Mozart's Symphony No. 40 in g minor; K. 550

Compares the structures of music and speech, and discusses the multiple transformations of which both are capable, with examples from Mozart: Symphony No. 40 in g minor; K. 550

Demonstrates layers of meaning in Beethoven's Symphony No. 6 in F Major; op. 68

Explorations of new tonal fields by composers of the Romantic era. Musical illustrations include: Berlioz's Romeo Alone and The Ball at the Capulets from Romeo & Juliet, Wagner's Prelude and Liebestod from Tristan & Isolde, and Debussy's Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune.

Arnold Schoenberg's movement toward atonality and Gustav Mahler's anticipation of the crisis in twentieth century music. Includes performances of Ives's The Unanswered Question, Ravel's 'Feria' from Rhapsodie espagnole and Mahler's Symphony No. 9 in D Major; Mvt. 4.

Examines how Igor Stravinsky kept tonality viable while experimenting freely with dissonance. Includes a complete performance of Stravinsky's Oedipus Rex.