Appreciating Form and Structure in Baroque and Classical Music                                                                              

 An Illustrated presentation by R. H. Duncan Lyngdoh

Chair: Ms. Anjli Mata, a noted music teacher associated with Trinity College London and was earlier a faculty at the Delhi School of Music 

The 18th century is noted for the prominence attached to form and structure in painting, architecture and music. Baroque and classical music flourished during this period. Composers like J. S. Bach raised the structural complexities of polyphony and counterpoint to their apex, in a grand synthesis of the intellectual and the emotional. It was a genius like Mozart who took the evolution of melody and form to an incomparably beautiful level of perfection. Some aspects of how form and structure gave enduring shape and significance to Western music are discussed here, with some recorded examples being presented for illustration.

Prof. Richard Duncan Lyngdoh retired last year from North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, after 35 years of teaching and research in chemistry. His interest in music has inspired him towards piano playing, studying music theory, and composing some 240 pieces of music in various genres. He teaches music theory at the Harmini Preparatory Music Academy, Shillong