Chamber Music

Course Code: MUSC2605

Start Date: 24/04/2026

Day of the Week:

Friday

Session: Morning

Delivery method: Hybrid (Centre and Zoom)

Length in weeks: 10

Time: 9.45am-11.45am

Price: £

Chamber music occupies a strange place between solo music, which is treasured as the vehicle for great virtuoso displays, and orchestral music which enjoys the buzz of the great formal occasion. Yet almost all composers write some of their most intense music for chamber ensembles – from piano trios to octets. It is often considered the province of the connoisseur and perhaps does not enjoy the popularity of music presented by soloists or symphony orchestras.

I want to put this right by examining some of the great works of chamber music across the ages and trying to find out why composers often reserve their most personal and carefully crafted inspirations for small ensembles.