Music of the Slavic Lands

Alexander Tentser
Fall 2025
Tuesday |  
2 PM - 4 PM
September 30, October 7, 14, 21, 28, and November 4, 2025
Course Format: Hybrid
Location: Main Campus
Tuition: $195

Eastern Europe has produced some of the most emotionally stirring and distinctive music in the Western tradition. In this 6-week seminar, we will explore the musical heritage of Slavic nations, including Russia, Ukraine, Poland, and the Czech Republic. Through works by composers such as Tchaikovsky, Chopin, and Dvořák—as well as lesser-known Ukrainian voices—we’ll trace how national identity, political struggle, and cultural resilience find expression in sound. Special attention will be given to the unique melodies and tonal structures shaped by histories of conflict, occupation, and artistic triumph. With live piano demonstrations and no prior musical training required, this course offers an accessible and engaging introduction to the beauty, sorrow, and vitality of Slavic music traditions. Participants will deepen their appreciation of how music both reflects and shapes the soul of a people.

Registration Opens Online:
Monday, August 4, 2025, at 8 AM (AZ Time)

Required Reading

No textbook is required. All readings will be distributed to students electronically.

Meet Your Instructor

Guest Lecturer

ALEXANDER TENTSER is a Kyiv-born concert pianist and music educator. A graduate of the Gnessin Russian Academy and the University of Arizona, he teaches at Pima Community College and has led numerous adult courses on music appreciation. Known for his engaging style and technical mastery, he brings deep cultural knowledge and personal experience to each session.

Location

POETRY CENTER
Dorothy Rubel Room
1508 E Helen
Tucson, AZ 85721
United States

Located on the SE corner of Helen Street and Vine Avenue, one block north of Speedway and three blocks west of Campbell Ave.

Street map image of Poetry Center

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