160007 UE Nature and Landscape in Schubert's Time (2024W)

What was nature's role in the art and music of Franz Schubert’s era? How did the landscapes of the early nineteenth-century Habsburg Empire shape the creative imagination of artists and composers? This course invites students to explore these questions by engaging directly with the latest research presented at the international conference, "Nature and Landscape in Schubert's Time: An Interdisciplinary Approach," held at the Austrian Academy of Sciences in Vienna.

In this seminar, students will engage with the complex relationship between nature, landscape, and art in the early nineteenth century, with a particular focus on music. We will analyse the key themes discussed at the conference, including the motif of the “Wanderer,” the rediscovery and instrumentalization of nature within the Habsburg Empire, the emergence of nature-oriented tourism, and the social and political dimensions of nature during this period. Additionally, we will explore environmentalist topics and consider how ecomusicological approaches can provide new insights into the music of Schubert and his contemporaries.

By engaging with the conference papers and interacting with international scholars, students will gain a deep understanding of the current academic discourse on this fascinating and under-explored topic. This course offers a unique opportunity to connect with cutting-edge research, enriching students' perspectives on the interplay between nature and art in a historical context.

Students are expected to actively participate in discussions and critically reflect on the ideas presented at the conference. Through this process, they will develop the ability to write perceptively and analytically about the intersection of nature, landscape, and music in Schubert’s time.

Please note that the conference and related course materials will be in English, so proficiency in the language is essential.