The Divine Spark: Making of Masterpieces in Music and Dance

The act of artistic creation is one of the profound mysteries of human existence. While thousands of music composers and dance choreographers have endeavored over the centuries to make works of lasting value, only a select few have had the “divine spark”—the flash of brilliance that resulted in a masterpiece that transcended its time and place. Precisely how these artists attained this goal is the topic of the proposed Honors Seminar. The course will also look at the definitions of “masterpiece” and “genius” and consider how these definitions have come under scrutiny by historians and critics.

 

The seminar will explore the creative process in music and dance by examining the work and working methods of a select number of extraordinary composers and choreographers. In some cases, these figures labored alone, in isolation, relying solely on their own intuition and experiences. In other instances, they worked with a collaborator whose talents complemented their own and served as a creative catalyst. In still other instances, they worked with a production team to assemble a large composite work.  The seminar will also look at how the cultural context for determining the quality and meaning of “masterpieces” has shifted and how new content and participants are being admitted into the canon.