Beethoven's Innovations with Musicologist Gil Harel

During this program, Professor Gil Harel will discuss how Beethoven's novel approach to form and harmony allowed him to create works that, 200 years later, are widely performed, recognized, and studied all over the world. 

Born in Bonn, Beethoven was a “Wunderkind” whose career trajectory was quite dissimilar from that of Mozart. Where Mozart would hone and perfect the idioms of the classical era, Beethoven is perhaps better known for the innovations which would herald the dawning of a new age in music. In forging this new style ("the romantic"), Beethoven would establish a paradigm in which the artist rose to unprecedented, dizzying heights in European society. 

About the Presenter: Gil Harel (PhD, Brandeis University) is a musicologist and music theorist whose interests include styles ranging from western classical repertoire to jazz and musical theater. Previously, he served on the faculty at CUNY Baruch College (where he was awarded the prestigious "Presidential Excellence Award for Distinguished Teaching"). Currently, he is an Associate Professor of Music at Naugatuck Valley Community College, where he has been presented with the AFT "Merit Award for Exemplary Service to the College" for 5 consecutive years. In 2020, he was honored with the coveted Connecticut Board of Regents (BOR) Teaching Award. At NVCC, Dr. Harel conducts the college chorale, a cappella ensemble, teaches music history and theory, and serves as musical director of theater productions.