Masses and Requiems

1 day, 9:30 am - 4:30 pm

The words of the Mass and the Requiem have been set to music by countless of composers for hundreds of years. Composers as diverse as Mozart, Puccini, Stravinsky and Palestrina has all taken the same words and given us a glorious variety of musical settings. Join us as we explore the structure and history of these wonderful musical genres. No musical knowledge is necessary.

Course Outline

Topics we will explore

The origins of the words of the Mass
The structure of the Mass
The Ordinary and Proper
How the music relates to the words
Kyrie
Gloria
Credo
Sanctus
Benedictus
Agnus Dei
The Mass through history
Some great mass settings
The origins of the words of the Requiem
The structure of the Requiem
How the Requiem differs from the Mass
Some great Requiem settings

Music we will listen to

We will listen to many pieces of piano music, some famous as well as some lesser-known. These include:

Palestrina: Missa Papae Marcelli
Bach: B Minor Mass
Mozart: Coronation Mass
Haydn: Nelson Mass
Beethoven: Missa Solemnis
Liszt: Hungarian Coronation Mass
Puccini: Messa di Gloria
Pärt: Berliner Messe
Mozart: Requiem
Berlioz: Grande Messe Des Morts
Brahms: German Requiem
Fauré: Requiem
Verdi: Requiem

Comments about Susan’s courses

“I always find everything about Susan Deas's presentation both informing and most pleasurable. She never disappoints.”

“Susan’s presentation style is very good. She combines her deep knowledge of subject matter, with clear explanations and demonstrations at the piano, with a pleasant manner and plenty of interaction and opportunity for questions.”

“Susan Deas knows her stuff and presents it extremely well. There is plenty of information and it is delivered entertainingly.”

“Susan’s courses are always excellent - well-researched and presented, informative, entertaining and engaging.”

“Susan Deas presents things so well and brings great music and musicians to life!”

“Facilitator has a gift of engaging with the participants at our various levels of knowledge”

“She brought out the best in the class and there was good participation and lots of questions all of which were patiently answered.”

“Susan is very skilled and knowledgeable presenter, making the material interesting and sharing this with the class.”

About Susan Deas

Susan Deas is a professional musician, lecturer and teacher. She has been teaching music appreciation courses for more than twenty years, through Sydney University’s Centre for Continuing Education, WEA Sydney and at other venues. Her training includes a Bachelor of Music with a major in Performance (Piano) and Musicology, a Master of Music Studies (Studio Pedagogy), a Bachelor of Arts (Communications), and an A.Mus.A in Musicianship. Susan teaches piano and music theory to adults and children, and plays piano and organ at various venues around Sydney. Susan is an Accredited Member of the Music Teachers’ Association of NSW.

More about Susan’s qualifications

Read what people have said about Susan’s other courses

Susan’s other music courses