What is meant by "musical form"? It is a matter of substance—the stylistic shaping of content from which the form cannot be separated.

While some musical forms may rely on a "paternal" authority that codified them—such as the symphony or sonata form in the case of Joseph Haydn—others, like the rondo or the canzone, require tracing their origins and evolution back to the medieval or Renaissance periods. This journey extends all the way to the twentieth century, a time when forms were dismantled, redefined, and challenged—as seen in Erik Satie’s Three Pieces in the Form of a Pear.

But what exactly are the rondo and the minuet? What is a concerto? What defines a madrigal? And finally, where does the boundary lie between form and genre?

Led by Professor Bianca De Mario and spanning seven sessions between December and February, this course aims to provide a foundation for understanding key concepts in music history through guided listening and an exploration of some of classical music’s most celebrated works.

Seven sessions of 90 minutes each – from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM
at the Foyer Gallery of the Milan Auditorium 

To further enrich the experience, a package of five concerts from the  Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano's  2025/26 Season   (running from January to May 2026) can be added to the course, fostering a more informed and engaged listening experience.

REGISTRATION FEES
COURSE: € 90
CORSO + 5 CONCERT PASS: € 200
UNDER-35: COURSE € 50