Marina Dranishnikova, Friedrick Gulda, and Caspar Cassado — do you recognize these composers and their music that is rarely heard? Get to know these and other great, but little-known, composers and their music! 

This course will explore the compositions of little-known composers, and Muphen will introduce the class to some of the lesser-known compositions by very well-known composers. There are hundreds (perhaps thousands) of composers throughout the various eras of classical music who — for one reason or another — have not become well known, but that did not deter them from composing some very exciting, interesting, and beautiful music.

Despite some composers becoming well-known to the point of being household names, not all of their music has had the opportunity to become as well-known as the composers themselves. Composers such as Marina Dranishnikova, James Hook, Ferdinand Reis, Friedrick Gulda, and Caspar Cassado all have written music that deserves to be heard by a wider and appreciative audience.

Some much better-known composers such as Maurice Ravel, Richard Strauss, Astor Piazzola, German composer Engelbert Humperdinck (no, not the pop singer), and Camille Saint-Saëns — and even better-known composers such as Beethoven, Mozart, and Tchaikovsky have little-known musical gems to their credit.

We will hear all of these — and more! 

What to expect: 

Learning about and hearing the music of classical music composers who never became well known. Exploring little-known works by well-known composers.

Feedback from past courses with Muphen:

“She makes Classical music fun while letting us sample composers we have never heard before.”

“Muphen is extremely knowledgeable about this subject. It was a fun class and went so quickly.”

“This is a great class. Muphen is well organized and obviously enjoys teaching.”

6 Wednesdays | May 6, 13, 20, 27, June 3, 10 | 1:30-3pm | IN PERSON (at the Easton Family YMCA on Peachblossom) | $80