Music: Classical Music in Focus: The Twentieth Century

The twentieth century offers some of most fascinating and wide-ranging classical music, taking in the perky Neoclassical styles of Paris, the hazy minimalist sounds of New York, the forbidding complexity of the Darmstadt School, and everything in between. While a lot of this music is immediately likeable, some of it may sound unappealing or even nonsensical at first hearing. Either way, understanding it often requires some delving into the deep histories and ideas behind it.

This course offers a comprehensive guide to twentieth-century classical music for the complete beginner, covering many of the major themes of the century in (very) broadly chronological order. You will get to hear some of the iconic, must-hear pieces, but we will also explore some of the less well-known voices as well, making a truly diverse experience. In the process you will discover how all of this music interacts with its historical context and cultural ideas which shaped it, all of which gives the sound its meaning.

The course is suitable for people with or without previous knowledge of classical music, though it makes a particularly good next step for those who have already taken the Discovering Classical Music course.

All classes will be supported by a PowerPoint presentation and plenty of audio and video examples of the music, and there will opportunities for discussion around the material too, with all opinions welcome.

This classroom-taught course is offered in partnership with the KCWC, but is open to everyone.

Term dates

•  Summer Term: week beginning 20 April 2026 until week ending 3 July 2026 (no class on 1 May 2026)

Any questions?

If you have any questions about the content of this course please contact the tutor, Dr Bruno Bower at b.bower@imperial.ac.uk

If you have any questions about enrolment please contact the Imperial after:hours Administrator, Christian Jacobi at c.jacobi@imperial.ac.uk

Class Recordings

These classes are not recorded

Attendance Certificate

Successful completion of this course leads to the award of an Imperial College attendance certificate

Terms and conditions apply to all enrolments to this course. Please read them before enrolment