Point And Counterpoint in Music and Art
September 24 - October 8
10.45 – 12.45 and 14.00 – 16.00 Wednesdays
£166.00 – £415.00
Description
Over the centuries, composers and painters have often drawn inspiration from the same subject matter – a crow on a dead branch, a lonely traveller, a man contemplating the moon, are common themes, for example, in both the songs of Franz Schubert and the canvases of Caspar David Friedrich. However, the worlds of music and paintings link very powerfully when one medium directly inspires the other. This study day series, which spans over 600 years of the arts, analyses and discusses a range of key works in this field, bringing together the music of Martinu with the frescoes of Piero della Francesca, Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition with the paintings of Viktor Hartmann, Arnold Böcklin’s Isle of the Dead with Rachmaninoff’s symphonic poem of the same name, and Schwind’s Symphony with the music of Beethoven.
”This was a masterpiece. Peter’s skilful weaving of art, music, history and observation created a tapestry of enriching delights. The two-lecture day format was energising thanks to his easy style of delivery which promoted active listening and vision. I can’t wait for his next series”
Course Outline
24 Sep 2025 – Music That Draws Its Inspiration Directly from Works of Art – Part 1
10.45-12.45
14.00–16.00
After an introduction to the subject of ‘music inspired by paintings’, three paintings will be discussed that have produced direct musical responses in famous composers. The couplings include:
Music: M Mussorgsky–Pictures at an Exhibition (1874)
Painting: V Hartman–various paintings displayed in an exhibition in St Petersburg (1874)
Music: S Rachmaninov–Isle of the Dead, tone poem for orchestra (1908)
Painting: A Böcklin–Isle of the Dead (5 known versions of the painting (1880-6)
Music: No 1 from Goyescas-Los Requiebros (The Compliments) by Enrique Granados
Painting: The Parasol by Francisco Goya 1777
01 Oct 2025 – Paintings That Draw Their Inspiration Directly from Pieces of Music Part 2
10.45-12.45
14.00–16.00
Among Works Discussed Are:
Music: O Respighi–Trittico Botticelliano (1927)
Paintings: S Botticelli–La Primavera (1482), Adoration of the Magi (1475), The Birth of Venus (1486)
Music: B Martinů–The Frescoes of Piero della Francesca (1955)
Painting: Piero della Francesca–Frescoes in Arezzo, Italy of The History of The True Cross (before 1466)
Music: F Liszt–Hunnenschlacht, tone poem for orchestra (1857)
Painting: W von Kaulbach–Hunnenschlacht (c1850)
08 Oct 2025 – Paintings That Draw Their Inspiration Directly from Pieces of Music
10.45-12.45
14.00–16.00
Among works discussed are:
Painting: M von Schwind–Symphony (1852)
Music: L van Beethoven–Fantasia in C for Piano, Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra (1808)
Painting: P Mondrian–Broadway Boogie Woogie (1942-3)
Music: Selection of Boogie Woogie music from the late 1930s and early 1940s
Painting: F Leighton: Lieder ohne Worte (exhibited 1861)
Music: F Mendelssohn–Lieder ohne Worte (1829-45) Leighton borrowed the title