"It is important to teach people who are going to be professional musicians the technical aspects of music and learn how to perform pieces well, but I'm much more eager to make sure that those people have an audience," Levin says. "What's the point of having brilliant scientists or musicians if there's no environment where they can bring society good?"

When playing, Levin's body sways back and forth, but he can still somehow deliver cogent sentences. Students say his lectures are vivid and interesting.

"I liked how he described the racism or lack thereof between the white and black keys of the piano," Kwaan says.

They also appreciate that the class requires no music-reading ability.

"I agree with Professor Levin's philosophy of art," says Nicholas T. Lopez '96. "Instead of using intellectualization as an end, he uses it as a means to understand the emotional and intuitive response one has to music."

For Levin, the opportunity to bring music to the people who might not learn about it otherwise is what makes teaching a large lecture worthwhile.

"I took on a challenge when I decided to teach this course," Levin says. "Chamber music is seen as not being very accessible. People think it is only for those who really love music.

"I thought, 'Why not start in this area that is considered notoriously difficult by people and make them excited about it and make some inroads?'...The number of people in the class is a heartening sign that the gamble I have taken may pan out.