Music: Controversies and Curiosities




« back to classes page
Music has always stirred controversy - sometimes through bold originality, other times through scandal. In the Classical tradition, composers like Beethoven, Stravinsky, and Smetana pushed boundaries that shocked audiences and critics. On Broadway and in Hollywood, changing attitudes toward race, consent, gender, and sexuality have prompted debates and revisions of works such as Annie Get Your Gun and South Pacific. Is political correctness a step forward in creating more inclusive art, or does it risk silencing important cultural heritage? Should works reflecting outdated views on religion, domestic violence, or prejudice be altered—or preserved as historical context? We will also explore plagiarism and musical borrowing in pop and film music, including controversies surrounding The Beatles, Pink Floyd, and Peter Frampton. Filled with audiovisual examples, anecdotes, and humor, this course offers a lively dive into music’s most provocative debates and scandals.

Your instructor: Emanuel Abramovits
Emanuel Abramovits, MBA, is a mechanical engineer and has also been a concert promoter for over two decades. He is directly involved in events by international artists like Itzhak Perlman, Gustavo Dudamel, Sarah Brightman, Roger Hodgson, ASIA, Journey, Kenny G., and many more. Abramovits has designed and staged many original orchestral events, including an Event of the Year winner and several world premieres. He served as the cultural director at Union Israelita De Caracas from 2008 to 2019, releasing books and organizing film cycles, concerts, and art exhibits. He consistently teaches online and in-person across the US.

Class Dates and Time: Wednesdays, April 15 through May 20
2pm Pacific | 3pm Mountain | 4pm Central |5pm Eastern
Each session is 90 minutes. 
 
Class schedule: Live lecture will take place on Wednesdays via ZOOM 
  • 4/15/2026
  • 4/22/2026
  • 4/29/2026
  • 5/6/2026
  • 5/13/2026
  • 5/20/2026

Class Details

6 Session(s)
Weekly - Wed

Location
Virtual - Any Location

Instructor
Osher Online 

Tuition: 

$70.00

Call 847-492-8204 to purchase Membership Send to Friend »

Schedule Information

Date(s) Class Days Times Location Instructor(s)
4/15/2026 - 5/20/2026 Weekly - Wed 04:00 PM - 05:30 PM N/A, Virtual - Any Location  Map Osher Online 

Other Class Offerings

A Beautiful Brain (Lecture)
ID: 3682

04/09/26 - 05/14/26
Weekly - Thu

Location
Virtual - Any Location

Instructor
Osher Online

Add To Cart »
Send to Friend »
A History of Street Art (Lecture)
ID: 3696

04/01/26 - 05/06/26
Weekly - Wed

Location
Virtual - Any Location

Instructor
Osher Online

Add To Cart »
Send to Friend »
AI for Regular People (Lecture)
ID: 3688

04/02/26 - 05/07/26
Weekly - Thu

Location
Virtual - Any Location

Instructor
Osher Online

Add To Cart »
Send to Friend »
California Uncovered: A Journey Through Time, Place, and Identity
ID: 3686

04/10/26 - 05/15/26
Weekly - Fri

Location
Virtual - Any Location

Instructor
Osher Online

Add To Cart »
Send to Friend »

You may also be interested in these classes

Recommended Classes