Baroque
Classical
Romantic
Late
Romantic
Modern/Contemporay/
20th -21st Century
Vivaldi
1678 – 1741
Haydn
Gioachino Rossini
1792 - 1868
-Symphony No. 94(Surprise)-Mvt.2
-William Tell Overture- Theme 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
_n52_yLz2hs
Giacomo
Puccini
Debussy
View United Streaming.com
View United Streaming.com
The Four Seasons- Spring
http://www.youtube.com/wa
tch?v=WJQgt-nKHOU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=lLjwkamp3lI
- William Tell Overture- Theme 2,
Trumpet Fanfare
http://www.you
tube.com/watch
?v=Cr5vpHtJIlg
Clair de lune
http://www.youtube.com/watc
h?v=-LXl4y6D-QI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83H8
sXt_p_s&feature=related
Bach
Boccherini
View United Streaming.com
View United Streaming.com
Felix Mendelssohn
1805 - 1847
-Toccata and Fugue in
D minor- Theme 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch
?v=_FXoyr_FyFw
String Quartet, Op. 13, No.4Minuet
-A Midsummer Night’s DreamWedding March
Ralph
Vaughan
Williams
1872 - 1958
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
z0wmzoHd6yo
http://www.youtu
be.com/watch?v=
5y7nJL1hpUU
Rachmaninoff
Piano Concerto No. 2 –
Movement 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=r_6niD3DvW0
-Toccata and Fugue in
D minor- Theme 2
Handel
Mozart
View United Streaming.com
View United Streaming.com
-Water Music-Alla Hornpipe
http://www.youtube.com/watch
?v=kkk9VFr8fEM
-Piano Concerto No. 21Mvt.2
Frederic Chopin
1810 - 1849
John Philip Sousa
1854 - 1932
Grande valse brillante
-The Messiah-Hallelujah
Chorus
http://www.youtube.com/watch
?v=usfiAsWR4qU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=df-eLzao63I&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch
?v=g2r7skqSkNM
-The Stars and Stripes
Forever
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=n9ePaETGQZ0
-Symphony No. 40- Mvt. 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=l45DAuXYSIs&feature=related
Georg Philipp Telemann
Beethoven
View United Streaming.com
View United Streaming.com
1681 - 1767
http://www.youtube.com/w
atch?v=B5ly3gPFags
-Symphony No. 5
Mvt. 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=N6K_IuBsRM4
- Symphony No. 9
Mvt. 4
-Semper Fidelis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=--SVyKdx8u0
Robert Schumann
1810 - 1856
The Happy Farmer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKm
pQjjQOBA
Elgar
Pomp and Circumstance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=moL4MkJ-aLk
Clara Schumann
1819 – 1896
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAN
WdzQPchQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=RcXGw5CHBYU
Schubert
Gounnod
Benjamin Britten
1913 - 1976
Funeral March of a Marionette
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=kR9nDnyIhAU
View United Streaming.com
- Symphony No. 8
(Unfinished)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eIk5
DWUx_E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=m33pGwho4-I&feature=related
-Piano Quintet in A (The
Trout)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=XrFqQRcqdJQ
Strauss
The Blue Danube Waltz
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FC2
ms7NB_es&feature=related
Antonin Dvorak
1841 – 1904
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=yctfXIqugXc
Baroque
Classical
Romantic
Brahms
Lullaby
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t
894eGoymio
Saint-Saens
Danse macabre
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
YyknBTm_YyM
Georges Bizet
1838 - 1875
Carmen- Habanera
Late
Romantic
Modern
Charles Ives
1874 - 1954
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=tbArUJBRRJ0&feature=related
Zoltán Kodály
1882 - 1967
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=xRi1GDoaQu4
Igor Stravinsky
1882 - 1971
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=5tGA6bpscj8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whF
UUFo1eXQ
Carmen- Toreador
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
4DNGMoMNLRY
Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
1840 - 1893
Swan Lake- Theme1 – Waltz
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S76C
GGPqI3s&feature=related
Leonard Bernstein
1918 -,1990
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=ogJFXqYEYd8
Swan Lake- Theme 2
Antonin Dvorak
1841 – 1904
William Grant Still
1895 - 1978
- Symphony No. 9 (New World)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
pSSVSOhGMq8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=v6UWuUVAcHg&playnext=1&
list=PL2EC78CBFDFC0E188
Edvard Grieg
1843 - 1907
-Peer Gynt Suite-Morning
Sergei Prokofiev
1891 - 1953
http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=ctsWdUaHsHM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
gH1JMdWpJ54
- Peer Gynt Suite-Solveig’s Song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i
i2Adi2iFRM&feature=related
- Peer Gynt Suite- In The Hall of
the Mountain King
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrIY
T-MrVaI&feature=related
Modest Mussorgsky
1839 - 1881
Aaron Copeland
1900 -, 1990
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8C
a_edg6RE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=Xzf0rvQa4Mc
Franz Schubert
1797 - 1828
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY0VNKgLaU
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
1844 - 1908
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_pk
RH2DZuw
John Philip Sousa
1854 - 1932
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOC
xegQupMU
Music Curriculum

You will be studying music theory (Music theory is the study of how music works. It
examines the language and notation of music. It seeks to identify patterns and structures
in composers' techniques, across or within genres, styles, or historical periods. In a grand
sense, music theory distills and analyzes the fundamental parameters or elements of
music—rhythm, harmony (harmonic function), melody, structure, form, texture, etc.)

You will learn about famous music composers.

You will learn about the different time periods for music: Middle Ages, Renaissance,
Baroque, Classical, Romantic Modern (20th Century)

Most of instruction is taken from Themes To Remember by Marjorie Kiel Persons
Lesson Plans:
Week 1A:
A. Discuss “What is Music”? Go to website and listen to the video.
What is music? http://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?guidAssetId=2594CE50-46ED-4E3B-85934EA586AFA5F5&blnFromSearch=1&productcode=US
B. Was their Music in the Bible? Go to the website and read the article on page 4-5 (Go to Music In the Bible:
http://www.verticalthought.org/issues/vt19/vt08aj.pdf
C. Discuss the following 2 articles:
Did you realize the Bible is loaded with music? From the angels being created with musical
abilities and singing at the creation of the earth (see Ezekiel 28:13-14; Job 38:7) to the song of the Lamb of God
(Revelation 15:3), the Bible is chock-full of music and musical references from cover to cover.
Early in human history, Jubal in Genesis 4:21 is described as the father of those playing the harp and flute. Many years
later, in Genesis 31:27, when Laban spoke with his son-in-law Jacob, he said Jacob should not have left secretly but
should have allowed Laban to send him away with a musical celebration. He specifically mentions songs along with two
musical instruments—the timbrel and harp. Obviously, in the ancient Middle East music was a part of celebrations. That
is also true in many cultures today. Further study of the Bible reveals that music was used as an emotional expression of
appreciation and thanks to God. When an unusual or significant event occurred, it was quite common for people to
compose and sing songs praising and thanking God for His blessing.
An example of this is found in Exodus 15. After leaving Egypt as the direct result of God having sent plagues on the
Egyptians, ancient Israel found itself in the frightening position of being trapped by mountains on both sides of them, the
Red Sea in front of them and the army of Egypt closing in behind them. God then miraculously parted the Red Sea and
dried the sea bottom, allowing Israel to walk to the other side. When the Egyptians went down into the sea in pursuit, God
allowed the walls of water to slam back together, drowning the Egyptian army (Exodus 14:9-12, 21-23, 28-30).
Moses and the Israelites sing
Exodus 15 records the song Moses and the Israelites sang praising God’s merciful deliverance (verses 1-18). Then
Miriam, Moses’ sister, and the women also played, sang and danced in jubilation—apparently singing a companion song
that complemented the words of Moses’ song (verses 20-21). A few centuries later, after the Israelites settled in the land
God promised them, King David appointed a group of 4,000 men from the 38,000 of the tribe of Levi (so just over 10
percent of the Levites) to serve in the temple as full-time professional musicians (1 Chronicles 6:31-33 and 23:3-6). Their
job included singing songs of praise to God in formal worship services. The whole book of Psalms (the longest book in
the Bible) seems to be a kind of national hymnal, with many psalms bearing David’s name as the composer. Music was
highly regarded in the Old Testament. Besides poetry, it is the main art form that seems to have been cultivated to any
extent in ancient Israel. Perhaps it is because the second of the Ten Commandments prohibits making any likeness or
graven image as a religious object. The other nations of the ancient world were steeped in the use of ornate paintings,
carvings and sculptures in the worship of their gods. God’s people were to avoid those and therefore focused on the
powerful emotional impact of words—written, spoken and sung.
Jesus and His disciples sing
The New Testament continues this rich heritage. After inaugurating the symbols of the New Testament Passover on the night before
His betrayal and crucifixion, Jesus and the disciples sang a hymn at the conclusion of the Passover service (Matthew 26:30). The
apostle Paul later wrote to the Christians at Colosse that the teachings of Christ should be deeply treasured as they taught and
counseled each other in word and song. He spoke of “psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” (Colossians 3:16)—all of which indicate
the use of music in joyous worship of God. Completing the New Testament, the book of Revelation describes numerous scenes that
include the use of songs in worship and praise of God in heaven. This includes the singing of a new song by the 144,000 who are
redeemed from the earth to the accompaniment of harps (Revelation 14:1-3). Clearly God gives His approval of music as an
appropriate means of expression—whether in everyday life or in worship of Him. However, like many other aspects of human
existence, music can be misused. Be sure to read the other articles in this issue for some helpful insights on the right and wrong use of
this powerful art form.
What’s Legal & Christian in Sharing Music?
Suzy has a great ear for music and wanted a CD of the greatest hits of Johnny Cash. She had a filesharing
program and was beginning to download the songs when her bookish 12-year-old-sister Jane asked her what she
was doing. Jane informed Suzy that this is a copyright violation and that she could get into a lot of trouble.
Suzy told her that no one was going to worry about a senior in high school. Jane wasn’t so sure about that. She
told Suzy that over 20,000 people have been sued by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)
for file sharing and that the RIAA recently went after a single mother to the tune of $222,000 for sharing 24
songs. Why do they care so much about a few songs? The issue here is that these songs are the property
of the artists who wrote and/or performed them. These artists have a copyright to their intellectual
property that gives them the right to choose who may copy the work or perform it publicly. If others copy a
song through file sharing, the artist does not receive a royalty (money) for that use of his work. For every artist
at the top of the Billboard music charts, there are many people behind the scenes who wouldn’t get their allotted
share as well, including songwriters, sound engineers and label employees who help create those hits. The law
varies from country to country regarding the legality of downloading and uploading of copyright-protected
songs. (For example, in the United States it is illegal to download or upload; in Canada it is only illegal to
upload.) The case Jane mentioned above was decided in Duluth, Minnesota, and marks the first case of its
kind to go to court (Capitol Records v. Jammie Thomas). Others have been settled out of court. The possibility
of being sued over file sharing should not be the principal consideration for vertical thinkers. Our main concern
should be to follow God—including His directives that we not steal, that we treat others as we would have them
treat us and that we follow the law of the land in which we live whenever it does not violate God’s will (Exodus
20:15; Luke 6:31; Romans 13:1-7).
It’s wrong to take what doesn’t belong to us without permission, whether it be from a small shopkeeper or a
billionaire entertainer. Our standard should be that found in God’s Word. Beyond just telling us not to steal,
Philippians 2:4 positively tells us, “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the
interests of others.”
–Brendan Babcock, patent attorney
Week 1B:
C. Was their music in the Stone Age and early civilization? (Go to Music in the Stone Age:
http://homepage.eircom.net/~bronzeagehorns/stoneage.html Also go to this website to find out more about
Stone Age instruments: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/25/science/25flute.html
D. Discuss that most of Music History lists the first musical era as the Medieval Era. (Go to this website
http://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?guidAssetId=E296BF04-178A-4E26-A3A608DDD616135A&blnFromSearch=1&productcode=US
Also go to this website, read and do activity Sheet:
http://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?guidAssetId=E296BF04-178A-4E26-A3A608DDD616135A&blnFromSearch=1&productcode=US
Week 2:
A. Discuss that there are different eras (or time periods) of music: Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque,
Classical, Romantic, Modern or 20th Century Music.
B. Discuss Middle Ages: http://www.essentialsofmusic.com/eras/medieval.html and Renaissance
http://www.essentialsofmusic.com/eras/renaissance.html
The Music of the Church



Music was an integral part of Christian worship. The daily liturgy provided innumerable texts, all set to music in the style we call
Gregorian chant.
The church served as an important patron of the arts, specifically of music
Throughout the period, the majority of composers were associated with and supported by the church.
The Beginning of Musical Notation




As in many non-Western cultures, music in early medieval Europe did not have a system of notation. It was not until perhaps the ninth
century that a basic system of notation was developed.
Notating music was a difficult and time-consuming process. It was only in the cathedrals and monasteries that such work could be done on
a regular basis.
Therefore, nearly all the music preserved (until the twelfth century) was written for the church.
The advent of notation also produced a markedly stable body of music, one of the features of Western musical culture.
» One of the biggest developments of the Middle Ages was the evolvement of Christianity as the official religion of the Roman Empire.
» Christianity also rose as the central force that united Europe during the Middle Ages as the Roman Empire fell.
» One of the most popular branches of music during the Middle Ages was the music of the church.
» Gregorian chants: SEE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dlr90NLDp-0 a collection of chants formulated by Pope Gregory during the 600's; Was
a Roman form of early plain chants; Pope Gregory also founded the Schola Cantorum in Rome.
» Trouvere (SEE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yo-7bT5xMmE) and
Troubador music (SEE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Bf1bFOf4Gg&feature=related ) began in France in 1125; Trouvere and Troubador
music was classified as secular, or non religious, music by church officials.
» People during the Middle ages would discover the current situation of their world through Troubador & Trouvere music.
» In 1200, songs known as Carmina Burana (See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNWpZ-Y_KvU ) were collected; Carmina Burana songs were
associated with wandering scholars.
Styles:
» Monophonic Style: SEE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKtyZwtrTCQ - Music that is compiled with just one musical line without an
instrumental accompaniment.
- The Monophonic Style was an important part of church services during the middle ages.
- An example of the Monophonic Style was the Gregorian Chant.
» Polyphonic Style: See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IISPMk3hiEc
- Music where two or more lines in a melody are listened to in a harmonious manner.
- Authors of the Polyphonic Style of music were usually listed as anonymous.
- Did not exist in records until the 11th century.
Composers:
Anonymous
http://www.essentialsofmusic.com/composer/anonymous.html
Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179)
http://www.essentialsofmusic.com/composer/hildegard.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJEfyZSvg5c
Moniot d'Arras (fl.1213-1239)
http://www.essentialsofmusic.com/composer/moniot.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66e50dXBT0M
Guillaume de Machaut (c.1300-1377)
http://www.essentialsofmusic.com/composer/machaut.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4U7mPwGx7Ls
Week 3:
See http://library.thinkquest.org/C005356/index2.htm then go to “Music”
MUSICAL STYLE
The composers of the Renaissance concerned themselves with three different areas of music:



Sacred music: Composers continued to work with the older forms such as the motet and Mass. It is
in this music that we find the clearest international style.
Secular music: Composers created new forms that reflected national trends, such as the Italian
madrigal and the French chanson.
Instrumental music: The rise of music printing encouraged the spread of instrumental music for
amateurs, and more specific types emerged.
All three types of music share many musical features:






The use of four-voice choirs or groups of like-sounding instruments (consorts)
Imitative or homorhythmic textures (often alternating within a single piece).
Smooth, gentle rhythms.
Melodies with balanced phrases.
Harmonies that use full triads.
Vocal forms tied to structure of texts. Dances based on simple binary forms.
Renaissance COMPOSERS AND LISTENING EXAMPLES
Guillaume Du Fay (1397-1474)
http://www.essentialsofmusic.com/composer/dufay.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-25R_SaDao
Josquin Desprez (c.1440-1521)
http://www.essentialsofmusic.com/composer/josquin.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUAgAF4Khmg
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (c.1525-1594)
http://www.essentialsofmusic.com/composer/palestrina.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikTZWZRTlpE
John Farmer (fl.1591-1601)
http://www.essentialsofmusic.com/composer/farmer.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIcN95ouZPQ
Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643)
http://www.essentialsofmusic.com/composer/monteverdi.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0z-hq8l2LM8
Week 4:
(Understanding Music Theory)
A. Discuss rhythm SEE http://www.classicsforkids.com/games/rhythm/rhythm.html
1.Rhythm is a series of beats that you can hear when you listen to music.
2. Rhythm is in all of the patterned noises you hear each day.
3. Beethovan’s Symphonies #3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDGPb86o1FA
and #9 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAOTCtW9v0M
B. Do “Rhythm” worksheets
Week 5:
A. Review “Rhythm”
B. Discuss Staff and Clefs SEE http://www.musictheory.net/lessons/10
1. Staff= A staff is composed of the five lines upon which music is written.
2. Clefs= The G Clef is also known as the Treble Clef and the F Clef is also know as the Bass
Clef. The Clef helps the musician to tell what Pitch a note should be. Click below to see
what the symbols look like and to learn more about Clefs.
3. Discuss the Treble or G Clef
4. Discuss the Grand Staff
5. Discuss the Bass or F Clef
6. B. Discuss that there are different eras (or time periods) of music: Middle Ages,
Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Modern or 20th Century Music.
Week 6:
A. Review “Rhythm”, “Staff and Clefs”
B. Review that there are different eras (or time periods) of music: Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque,
Classical, Romantic, Modern or 20th Century Music
C.
ReviewMiddle Ages: http://www.essentialsofmusic.com/eras/medieval.html and Renaissance
http://www.essentialsofmusic.com/eras/renaissance.html
D. Discuss the 4 main themes we will focus on:
Baroque: See http://www.classicsforkids.com/shows/contentplayer_frame.asp?ID=Baroque&Title=Baroque+Music
Classical: See http://www.classicsforkids.com/shows/genre_classical.asp
Romantic: See http://www.classicsforkids.com/shows/genre_romantic.asp
Modern: See http://library.thinkquest.org/15413/history/history-mod-trends.htm
E. Write the following 4 types of Music Themes in your Music Notebook
Four Types of Themes:
Baroque: (c.1600-1750)
Vivaldi, Bach, Handel
Classical: (1750-1820)
Haydn, Boccherini, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert
Romantic: (1820-1900)
Rossini, Mendelssohn, Chopin, Schumann, Gounod, Strauss
Modern: (1900-Present)
Debussy, Rachmaninoff, Sousa, Elgar
Week 7:
A. Discuss Pitches, Note/Rest Values, and Meter See http://www.classicsforkids.com/terms/categories.asp?id=Notes%20and%20sheet%20music
B. Look up the meaning of the following terms at the link above and write them in your Music Dictionary.
1. Discuss Pitches (the highness or lowness of a musical tone)
See http://neilhawes.com/sstheory/theory24.htm
2. Discuss Note Values (whole, half, quarter, eighth, sixteenth)
3. Discuss Meter See http://www.musictheory.net/lessons/15
4. Discuss Rest Values (whole, half, quarter, eighth, sixteenth)
SEE http://www.musictheory.net/lessons/13
5. Discuss terms: staff, measure, bar line, double bar, clef, time signature, tempo marking,
repeat sign.
6. Can you name that note? http://www.musictheory.net/exercises/note
B. Review that there are different eras (or time periods) of music: Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque,
Classical, Romantic, Modern or 20th Century Music
C. Discuss the different sounds or characteristics of each era and show examples: Baroque, Classical,
Romantic, Modern
Week 8:
A. Dynamics See http://neilhawes.com/sstheory/theory41.htm
B. Discuss: accelerando, adagio, andante, con brio, diminuendo, forte, legato, mezzo-forte, moderato,
piano, ritardando, vivace
1. Do “Word Find” Worksheet
C. Play a theory game: http://www.quia.com/cb/50273.html
D. Review the different sounds of the 4 eras: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Modern
Week 9:
A. Discuss Baroque and explain what it is.
Baroque Period
Vivaldi, Antonio
Bach, Johann Sebastian
Handel, George Frideric
c.1600-1750
(1678-1741)
(1685-1750)
(1685-1759)
In the Baroque Period, music was written mainly for church or for royalty. The Baroque era was the beginning
of almost all of the musical styles up to the present. It is the period that paved the way for all alter classical
music.
Bach wrote principally for the church. Handel also wrote for the church but some of his greatest works were
written for the theater (operas and oratorios) and for royalty, especially King George I and King George II of
England. King George I liked to go barge-riding on the Thames (temz) River that flows through London. He
also liked to dance gavottes and minuets. King George II enjoyed celebrations and watching fireworks that go
out of hand!
Baroque music takes a them or melody and interweaves it in repeated layers. You can think of it as three or
four people singing a round (like Brother John) many times with many variations.
Music in the Baroque Period had many frills and fancy ornaments. In music that means things like trills and
grace notes. Music was ornate like the Baroque architecture. During this period the violin family reached its
highest development and the violin became the queen of instruments.
Notice that the composers in the Baroque Period wore big wigs. The peasants and poor people could not afford
the wigs, so those who could afford them became known as the “Big Wigs”- people who were considered more
important than people with less money. Some men even used powder on their wigs, or plaster of Paris to hold it
in place. (Perhaps that was the first hair spray!) In England some judges, bishops, and men in parliament still
wear big wigs. Every time you see a composer with a big wig, you can be quite sure that he composed during
the Baroque Period.
Definitions:
Opera= a musical play with orchestra, chorus, solos, and people in costume who sing rather than speak their
lines.
Oratorio= a musical story, usually from the Bible, with soloists, chorus and orchestra, but without costumes,
action or scenery.
Trill= a quick repeating of two adjacent notes
Grace Note= an extra note played very quickly before the main note
C.
Discuss the 4 main composers of the Baroque era: Vivaldi, Bach, Handel, Telemann
Vivaldi
1678 – 1741
Bach
View United Streaming.com
View United Streaming.com
-Toccata and Fugue in
D minor- Theme 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FXoyr_FyFw
The Four Seasons- Spring
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJQgt-nKHOU
-Toccata and Fugue in
D minor- Theme 2
Handel
Georg Philipp Telemann
View United Streaming.com
View United Streaming.com
-Water Music-Alla Hornpipe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkk9VFr8fEM
1681 - 1767
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5ly3gPFags
-The Messiah-Hallelujah Chorus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usfiAsWR4qU
Week 10:
Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)
A. Review Baroque and explain what it is.
B. Introduce Vivaldi and his music. The Four Seasons- Spring http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJQgt-nKHOU
C. Read and complete the activity sheet below and put it in your Music Notebook
Antonio Vivaldi
http://www.classicsforkids.com/activitysheets/April2008.pdf
“Spring” from The Four Seasons
The Four Seasons- Spring
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJQgt-nKHOU
Quick Notes:
A. Bright red hair
B. Became a priest and called “The Red Priest”
C. Virtuoso Violinist
D. Taught violin in a girls’ school and composed music/concerts for them
E. He developed the concerto form we know today
F. He always used the same pattern for the three movements: Fast – Slow – Fast
G. Composers usually used the Italian words: Allegro—Adagio – Allegro
H. The Four Seasons is his most famous composition.
I. He composed a concerto for violin and orchestra for each of the four seasons.
J. The main theme from the first movement of Spring is allegro.
K. He published a sonnet (poem) in Italian to go with each concerto to explain the music.
L. For the first movement of Spring, he explains that springs has arrived and the birds are singing. The brook
murmurs and soft breezes blow. Then thunder and lightning bring a shower. The shower is soon over and
the birds begin to sing again.
Definitions:
Virtuoso: A performer who excels on his or her musical instrument
Week 11:
A. Review Baroque and explain what it is.
B. Introduce Bach and his music.
C. Hear about Bach http://www.classicsforkids.com/shows/showdesc.asp?id=31, Then listen to his music,
and then take the quiz.
Johann Sebastian Bach
Toccata and Fugue in D minor- Theme 1 and Theme 2
Quick Notes:
A. Many consider Back the greatest musician ever lived and his family the greatest musical family.
B. He wrote more music than most composers ever think of writing.
C. He had more than 20 children. (Several began accomplished musicians and composers)
D. In Germany, where Bach was born, the name Bach was the same as “musician”.
E. Before he was 10, his parent died and he went to live with an older brother.
F. The brother taught him to play the clavichord, an instrument much like the piano. See
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzYcNY8tDCc
G. When his brother refused to let him use a book with difficult music, he secretly took the book and copied it
by the moonlight.
H. He played many instrument but was known as a superb organist (one of the greatest ever).
I. He was not appreciated as a great composer until a century after his death.
J. He also improvised a lot of music that was never written down.
K. He composed choral, organ and instrumental music primarily for the church.
L. Some of his greatest music was written for the organ like The Toccata and Fugue in D Minor.
M. Toccata comes from an Italian word that means to touch. In a Toccata they are touched very quickly.
N. A fugue is similar to a round in singing. An organist playing a fugue often has the them going in both
hands and fee simultaneously. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6clTa8_QYQE
O. A composition written in a minor key will usually sound sad or spooky (as the above fugue did)
The Toccata and Fugue in D Minor is heard in Fantasia and Phantom of the Opera. See
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FXoyr_FyFw also see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSImIdnw3W0
Definitions:
Toccata: keyboard composition played (touched) very fast See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zd_oIFy1mxM
Fugue: like a round written for instruments See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKRj-T4l-e8
Sonata: a composition for one or two solo performers. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQVeaIHWWck
Prelude: Introductory music; to play beforehand See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6yuR8efotI
Cantata: composition for voices, usually churches
Minuet: Courtly dance music in three beats. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=on1DDSLdDOo
Gavotte: peasant dance music in three beats See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGfykyQ0_So
Lottas: not a word: but you know what I mean!
Week 12:
A. Review Baroque and explain what it is.
B. Introduce Handel and his music.
George Frideric Handel
George Handel
“Hornpipe” from Water Music
Water Music- Alla Hornpipe
http://www.classicsforkids.com/activitysheets/June2008.pdf
The Messiah-Hallelujah Chorus
The Messiah- He Shall Feed His Flock
Royal Fireworks Music- Overture
Royal Fireworks Music- Minuet
Royal Fireworks Music- La Paix
Quick Notes:
A. Born in Germany the same year as Bach.
B. His father hoped he be a lawyer but finally let him study music because of his talent.
C. He studies organ, harpsichord (See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71x4MSlpGUk), violin, and oboe
(See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5V_hWBRZKuk and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVbT8XQkJx8
D. By 11 he was composing he own sonatas and church services.
E. Traveled to Italy to learn about opera and to study the music of Vivaldi and Corelli (See
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8Y4GsNSVhY)
F. After 3 years in Italy he traveled to England and while there Queen Ann died (See
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAh1K3BPh30&NR=1)
G. Because there was no heir to her throne, the English people looked for her cousin, George I but he did not
speak English but German where he lived.
H. Handel spoke German and had worked for George I when he lived in Germany and happy to serve George I
again.
I. King George I loved Handel’s music and asked him to compose special music for a royal water pageant
down the Thames River in London. The king’s party enjoyed the festivities on the royal barge while
Handel and his orchestra played the Water Music from a barge that floated nearby. He liked Handel’s music
so much that he had it played 3 times.
J. Handel wrote many operas and oratorios (See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnGmUCdEF2g) The
Messiah is his most famous oratorio and composed in 23 days. Solo singer, chorus and orchestra tell the
story of Christ. All words are taken from the Bible.
K. Music for the Royal Fireworks (See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXjY6w1KQMo) was written for
King George II to celebrate the peace treaty that ended the War of the Austrian Succession (See
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_-RQ6TJI_8). There were feasts and balls, and a huge celebration in
London with great fireworks and music. They had great music but the scaffold for the fireworks caught on
fire, everyone panicked and nobody heard the rest of the music.
L. The Royal Fireworks Music is one of Handel’s best-loved works.
Week 13:
A. Review Baroque and explain what it is.
B. Introduce Telemann and his music. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yti075yn-6I
See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpAQMyUMi4E
See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5ly3gPFags
D. Review the Baroque Era
E. Discuss the Other Good Listening From the Baroque Period
OTHER GOOD LISTENING FROM THE BAROQUE PERIOD
Vivaldi:
The Four Seasons
See Spring: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4kTei0XrCs
See Summer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Es9RgQGw3Gk&feature=related
See Fall: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qC2ruXauBGk&feature=fvst
See Winter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGdFHJXciAQ&feature=related
Concerto for Two Trumpets in C Major See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKCQDVy9Cpk
Cello Concertos
See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_XyYN87e6Y
Flute Concertos (James Galway) See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2v20FAxZks
Guitar and Mandolin Concertos See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StNAG4gCIxY
Bach:
Brandenburg Concertos – 1 thru 6
Goldberg Variations See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7LWANJFHEs
Organ Concertos
See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8bg26h0B7Y
Toccata and Fugue in Dm
Handel:
The Messiah (Hallelujah See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76RrdwElnTU)
Water Music Suite See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOoiuMYc5Wc
Music for the Royal Fireworks
Organ Concertos
Trio Sonatas
Week 14:
A. Discuss the Classical era and explain what it is.
B. Introduce Classical era.
Classical Period
Haydn, Franz Joseph
Boccherini, Luigi
Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
Beethoven, Ludwig van
Schubert, Franz
(1750-1820)
1732-1809
1743-1805
1756-1791
1770-1827
1797-1828
Classical can be a confusing word. It refers to both a period of time and to a style of composition. In addition,
all serious music by great composers is called classical music.
Classical Period- the 1750 to 1820 musical period. Notice that Forte has a stern expression. This is the Age of
Reason, sometimes called the Enlightenment. There are many rules to follow. Reason is more important than
emotion.
Classical Style- the style of music in the Classical Period.
Classical Music- refers to music that is more complex and lasts longer than popular music. It is not just music
from the Classical period. It includes music from four different periods: the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and
Modern. Each period has its own musical style. Music, art and literature reflect the period in which they are
produced.
The Classical Period was a time of change in ideas and feelings. Americans won their independence from
England, and the social order in France was overthrown. In art, music, and literature the people wanted a
return to the simple beauties of nature and to clear thinking instead of fantasy. They were tired of the ornate
Baroque Style. There were very few prominent composers in the Classical Period.
Music in the Classical Period was written for the rich upper classes, the aristocracy, rather than for the church.
The nobleman wanted to hear music that was more reserved, controlled, elegant and tuneful than the Baroque
style. There were rules about the form of the music and how the themes were to be developed. Rather than
having themes interwoven, the soprano line (the highest-pitched melody) dominated the composition.
Classical Period music featured contrast. The dynamics shifted frequently between piano and forte. One finds
wide-ranging melodies with wide spaces between the bass and soprano. There is contrast in mood even within
a movement. This is very different from the Baroque Period music, which was based on the idea of unity by
repeating a motive or a fugue subject over a long harmonic plan with fewer dynamic contrasts or wide register
spaces.
Definitions
Form: form in music means a musical plan similar to an outline for a book. Forms were well defined in the
Classical Periods. We will consider only the outline form of the music, not the form within the movements of
the music.
Sonata, string quartet, symphony and concerto: were the prominent forms in the Classical Period.
Sonata: composition for only one or two instruments. Usually three movements: Fast Slow Fast
String Quartet: composition for two violins, viola and cello.
Usually four movements: Fast Flow Minuet Fast
Symphony: composition for a full orchestra. Usually four movements Fast Slow Minuet Fast
It can also refer to the type of orchestra such as a symphony orchestra.
Concerto: composition for a full orchestra featuring a solo instrument.
Usually three movements: Fast Slow Fast
Movement: a distinct part of a musical composition, like a chapter in a book. The musicians usually stop
completely between movements. Don’t clap until the end of the movement!
There are more Fast than Slow movements usually because people get bored sooner with slow things but we
still want the contrast or change because also get bored if everything is fast. The classical composers worked
out a balance. About the time you get tired of the Fast movement, they change to the Slow movement and give
our minds a rest. Then they wake us up again with a Fast movement.
Movements of a Symphony:
Movement One=
Movement Two=
Movement Three=
Movement Four=
Fast
Slow
Minuet or Scherzo
Very Fast
Symphony Orchestra Seating Plan
See: http://www.classicsforkids.com/music/orchestra.asp
Week 15:
A. Discuss the Classical era and explain what it is.
B. Introduce Franz Joseph Haydn
Franz Joseph Haydn
1732-1809
Franz Josef Haydn
Symphony No. 45 “Farewell”
http://www.classicsforkids.com/activitysheets/January2010.pdf
Quick Notes:
A. Mozart called him “Papa Haydn”
B. Also known as “Father of the Symphony”
C. Sent to live with a relative who taught music at age 5
D. Accepted into a boys’ choir in Vienna at age 8
E. The musical training was great but he was still cold and hungry.
F. Many times sang in the street to earn coins to buy food.
G. Prince Esterhazy of Austria gave him a job as court musician.
H. He was considered a “servant” but treated well.
I. Wrote most of this music for the court because the Prince was his employer.
J. His symphony orchestras (smaller than today’s symphonies) performed his music at court.
K. His symphonies were also shorter than most symphonies of later composers.
L. Wrote 104 symphonies compared to Beethoven’s nine.
M. Famous and loved in Europe.
N. Lived 3 years in London and wrote his twelve London symphonies (See
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygG7jgDp6NU&playnext=1&list=PL7C91FBB9EF986434).
(A favorite: Symphony No.94 Surprise)
O. The loud chord in the second movement of Surprise was intended to awaken guests at the palace who
drifted off to sleep during a concert after a big meal.
Famous Works:
A. Symphony No. 94 (Surprise)- Movement 2
See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNwMXj0Y1_Y
B. Week 16:
A. Discuss the Classical era and explain what it is.
B. Review Haydn
C. Introduce Luigi Boccherini
Luigi Boccherini
1743-1805
Quick Notes
A. Was Italian and a very successful cellist and composer.
B. Haydn knew him and admired him.
C. His music is beautiful and mainly chamber music (music played in a small room by a few; usually with a
string quartet) See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekkGb64Rdqw
D. Musicians in his day usually played in small places, chambers, for small groups.
E. The Infante Luis of Spain employed Boccherini as chamber-musician and composer.
F. Frederick Wilhelm of Prussia honored him with the title of “chamber-composer”
G. He wrote more than 400 works including 90 string quartets, 125 string quintets (nearly all scored for 2
cellos rather than 2 violas), 54 trios and 20 symphonies.
H. His music is soothing.
I. The Minuet is from his String Quintet, Op. 13, No. 4. It is very popular. The syncopated rhythm makes us
want to dance.
Famous Works:
A. String Quintet, Op. 13, No.4- Minuet
Definitions
Syncopated: The weak beat is accented- jazz music uses it a lot. See
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTQ1A7YT1pQ. Jazz sounds are usually syncopated (See
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-tohvY1Ks4&feature=related). If you are counting four beats to the
measure, the first and third beats are usually the heavy beats. ONE two THREE four
*To make it syncopated, count----- one TWO three FOUR
*Op. stands for Opus which means a “work”. Opus is used by composers and publishers to identify their
works. The word is usually reserved for a collection of works of the same kind. Op. 13, No. 4 would mean
that the music is No.4 in Book 13.
Week 17:
A. Discuss the Classical era and explain what it is.
B. Review Haydn and Luigi Boccherini
C. Introduce Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
1756-1791
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Turkish Rondo from Piano Sonata
No. 11 in A major
http://www.classicsforkids.com/activitysheets/March2011.pdf
Quick Notes
A. Many consider him the great composer to ever live.
B. He produced music more easily than most of us write a letter.
C. It came fully formed in his head and he only needed to write it down.
D. He could listen to complex music and later write it down toally from memory.
E. His father, a musician, provided him with early training.
F. At age 4 he composed a piano concerto.
G. His sister Nannerl was also very talented.
H. Papa Mozart thought he could make some badly needed money by taking his children on a tour of Europe
to play concerts for the royalty. They played brilliantly but not enough paid to cover their traveling costs.
I. In every country Mozart was called a “wonder child”.
J. His ability to improvise and to sight read astounded everyone who heard him.
K. Born in Salzburg, Austria.
L. As a young man he moved to Vienna, the center of the classical music world where he met “Papa Haydn”.
M. Haydn taught Mozart and they became very good friends.
N. Haydn was much older but learned from Mozart and told Mozart’s father “I tell you before God, and as an
honest man, that your son is the greatest composer that ever lived”.
O. Mozart died young at age 35.
P. He composed volumes of music and an ultimate example of the classical style music.
Q. His music is gracious, elegant and refined yet it has a since of divine inspiration.
R. Amadeus means “beloved of God”
Definitions
Improvise: to make up new music on the spot
Sight Read: to read and play music that one has never seen or practiced before.
Week 18:
A. Discuss the Classical era and explain what it is.
B. Review Haydn, Luigi Boccherini, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
C. Introduce Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven
1770-1827
Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No. 8 in F Major Second
Movement
http://www.classicsforkids.com/activitysheets/January2011.pdf
Quick Notes
A. Studied with Haydn but not for long. He was unhappy with the restraints of the classical style of music;
he wanted to make his own rules.
B. He did this in his Symphony No. 5 which is probably his most familiar symphonies. The beginning notes,
three short and one long, are simple yet powerful. He took a simple idea and turned it into a dramatic
statement. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4IRMYuE1hI
C. The last movement of his Symphony No. 9 (See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAOTCtW9v0M)
uses a large choir to sing the Ode to Joy (See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wod-MudLNPA).
No other composer in the Classical Period had ever used a choir in a symphony or made music sound so
dramatic and exciting.
D. He broke the classical rules in the Moonlight Sonata (See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQVeaIHWWck)
E. The usual pattern for a sonata is: Fast Slow Fast. He begins the Moonlight Sonata with a very slow
movement and continues with two fast movements.
F. Never married.
G. Had a hot temper, was moody and independent.
H. He wrote many romances such as “Immortal Beloved” (Start at :31 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJGESRc3XfY)
After he died there were 3 love letters in his desk drawer. In one letter he addresses the person as
Immortal Beloved” but no name was given.
I. He began to love his hearing at 31. He continued to compose his sublime music. He was completely deaf
when he composed the Ninth, his last symphony.
J. After losing his hearing he conducted the orchestra and chorus. At the end, he could not hear the
applause. His friends had to turn him towards the audience for him to see the applause.
K. He knew he was a genius and told Prince Lichnowsky (See
http://www.madaboutbeethoven.com/pages/people_and_places/people_patrons/people_patrons_lichnowsky.htm) “There are, and there
will be, thousands of princes, but there is only one Beethoven”.
Week 19:
A. Discuss the Classical era and explain what it is.
B. Review Haydn, Boccherini, Mozart, Beethoven
C. Introduce Franz Schubert
Franz Schubert
1797-1828
Franz Schubert
“Marche Militaire”
http://www.classicsforkids.com/activitysheets/January2009.pdf
Quick Notes
A. Called the “last of the Classical composers and first of the Romantics”.
B. He wrote beautiful melodies as in Unfinished Symphony Number 8. You might think that the melody
belongs to a second movement as second movements are usually slow and lyrical. This melody is
especially singable and unforgettable. A symphony usually has four movements but he wrote this with
only two movements. Perhaps it was hard to write anything beautiful enough to follow the first two
movements.
C. He like parties with his friends. They sang and danced to Schubert’s music so the parties were known as
Schubertiads. His friends called him “Mushroom”.
D. He was not famous in his lifetime. After he died, Schumann found some of his manuscripts and had them
published. Gradually his fame spread and people realized that he was a great composer.
E. He idolized Beethoven and sad when he died. Like Mozart, Schubert died young at 31. His dream was to
be buried next to the master. He was buried as close to Beethoven “as could be arranged”.
F. He wrote only nine symphonies, but he wrote more than 600 songs called Lieder in German).
G. He wrote many compositions for strings: quartets, quintets and trios. His Piano Quintet in A, (The Trout),
for piano and strings is a favorite.
Definitions
Quartet: a composition for four instruments or voices
Quintet: a composition for five instruments.
Piano Quintet: usually consists of a piano
String quartet: has two violins, one viola, and one cello
Trio: music written for three instruments or voices
Week 20:
A. Review the Baroque and Classical.
B. Introduce The Romantic Period
Romantic Period
Rossini, Gioachino
Mendelssohn, Feliz
Chopin, Frederic
Schumann, Robert
Gounod, Charles
Strauss, Johann Jr.
Brahms, Johannes
Saint-Saens, Camille
Bizet, Georges
Tchaikovsky, Peter
Dvorak, Antonin
Grieg, Edvard
1820-1900
(1792-1868)
(1809-1847)
(1810-1849)
(1810-1856)
(1818-1893)
(1825-1899)
(1833-1897)
(1835-1921)
(1838-1875)
(1840-1893)
(1841-1904)
(1843-1907)
The Romantic Period is very different from the Classical Period. The Romantic composer stressed the dignity
and freedom of man, an idealized nature, the rustic village, the hero-warrior, warm lush sounds, and emotion.
The Classical Period had stressed control of form and emotions.
The music of the Baroque Period was written mainly for the church or the court. The Classical composer
wrote principally for the rich upper classes and the aristocracy. The Romantic composer wrote for the rising
middles class. A classical composer needed to make a lving from his music, by sales or by performance.
Composers, such as Paganini on the violin and Liszt and Chopin on the piano, performed brilliantly for their
audiences.
The forms of music were varied. Chopin wrote dazzling short works- waltzes, preludes, and etudes- for the
piano. Liszt and Rubinstein wrote thundering concertos. Brahms wrote dark-hued symphonies. Tchaikovsky
brought the ballet into prominence, and Berlioz included a waltz in his Symphonie fantastique. The waltz
replaced the minuet. Symphonic poems (or tone poems) were popular. They described storms, sunrises, and
life with idealized nature. Composers started using folk melodies in their music. New instruments and the
improvement of existing instruments gave the orchestras a richer, warmer, more powerful sound.
Week 21:
A. Review the Classical Period characteristics.
B. Introduce Giachino Rossini
Gioachino Rossini
(1792-1868)
Quick Notes
A. A big man who loved to eat and enjoy life.
B. His fellow Italians loved his operas; their favorite was The Overture to the William Tell opera. The first
theme is a lovely quiet melody played by the flutes. The second theme bursts in with a trumpet fanfare
followed by a very fast melody that many people associate with “The Lone Ranger”. However he wrote
it for the William Tell Overture.
C. The Story of William Tell (see http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/william-tell.htm) : The people of
Switzerland were oppressed by an Austrian ruler named Gessler. To break the proud spirit of the Swiss,
Gessler had mounted his cap on a pole in the public square and required eac man to bow to the cap.
William Tell refused to bow to anyone or anything. This made Gessler furious. William Tell was noted
for his great skill with the crossbow. Gessler thought of a cruel plan to bring him down. He ordered
William Tell’s young son to stand across the public square with an apple on his head. He ordered
William Tell to shoot it of with one arrow, or his men would shoot the boy. Gessler didn’t believe that
William Tell could hit the apple at such a distance. William took two arrows from his quiver, took
careful aim, and split the apple in half, leaving his son unharmed. Gessler asked Tell why he had taken
two arrows from his quiver. William said, “If I had missed the apple and hurt my son, I would have
killed you with the second arrow.” Gessler ordered William Tell lead away to life in prison. However,
Tell escaped. It is said that William Tell’s arrow later killed Gessler and thus freed the Swiss from his
tyrannical rule.
D. Rossini’s William Tell Overture is a small tone poem, a poem in music rather than words. If possible,
listen to a fully orchestrated version of the Overture. It begins with a beautiful slow section that depicts
the rising of the sun over the Swiss mountains. A fast section follows in which we hear a storm. Then,
on our Track 38, the quiet returns with a pastoral scene and a gentle mountain melody. On our Track
40, we hear the Swiss soldiers arrive with the Trumpet Fanfare.
Week 22:
A. Review Rossini
B. Introduce Feliz Mendelssohn
Feliz Mendelssohn
(1809-1847)
Quick Notes:
A. Composed his famous Wedding March as background music for Shakespeare’s play, A Midsummer Night’s
Dream, when he was 17.
B. For many years brides walked down the aisle to the music of Wagner’s Bridal Chorus (see
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFTnFErJEu4) When the ceremony was over the couple left the church to
Mendelssohn’s Wedding March. Many brides now choose music other than these two.
C. Felix came from a prosperous family that nurtured his musical talent. He was born in Hamburg, Germany.
His grandfather was Moses Mendelssohn, a famous philosopher.
D. He was almost as talented as Mozart. Like Mozart, he could compose music fully formed in his head and
then write it down. He had a wonderful musical memory.
E. He liked to travel. His favorite foreign country was England and Scotland which he visited 10 times. His
Symphony Number Three is called the “Scotch” Symphony http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xy2Renq3ig
F. Responsible for bringing Bach’s music to light. Bach had been a famous organist, but he was not widely
known outside of Germany in his own lifetime. After his death in 1750, his music was almost forgotten until
Felix found it a century later and brought it to the attention of the world.
G. Mendelssohn composed wonderful symphonies and concertos. He also wrote an oratorio called Elijah.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJYCkTsWhA8. Remember that an oratorio is a musical story with chorus,
soloists, and orchestra. It is usually based on the Bible.
H. He worked very hard. His health began to fail when he was only 35. He was very fond of his sister Fanny,
see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fanny_Mendelssohn a gifted composer and pianist see. See
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhcyUL7QSb4 for her music. When she died unexpectedly, it was a great
shock to Felix, and he died a few months later at 38.
Week 23:
A. Review Rossini, Mendelssohn
B. Introduce Frederic Chopin
Chopin, Frederic
(1810-1849)
Quick Notes:
A. Born in Poland.
B. His mother was Polish and his father French.
C. He was unhappy with the grim circumstances in Russian-occupied Poland. He left when he was 20 and
made his home in France for the rest of his life. However, he never forgot his Polish heritage. His music is full
of the sounds of Polish national dances such as the mazurka http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4YGQxvPc8&feature=related and polonaise http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwG-x1RcHnQ . His
Revolutionary Etude http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hOKcdZJJFU and Miliary Polonaise
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1Qq3RA19G4 reflect his nationalism and his distress with Russian
occupation.
D. He composed mostly short works for the piano. There were preludes, nocturnes, waltzes, mazurkas, etudes,
polonaises, impromptus, and sonatas.
E. He composed in many moods: tragic, sweet, dreamy, brilliant, heroic, fantastic and simple. He was the
master of beautiful melody. Many of his melodies have been used in popular songs. Two best-known are:
Tristesse Etude “No Other Love” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqdj8dSkfys and Fantasie-Impromptu
“I’m Always Chasing Rainbows” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbLLXUMcLKs .
F. Brilliant pianist but frail and sickly so he limited his public appearances.
G. Liszt http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franz_Liszt is the only other composer who rivaled Chopin in his
virtuosity (or someone who can play amazingly well).
Definitions
Prelude: a small concert piece based on a short motive
Motive: like a them only much shorter
Theme: a musical idea that is developed in a composition
Nocturne: a dreamy composition appropriate for nighttime
Waltz: a lively couple dance with three beats in a measure
Mazurka: a lively Polish dance in triple meter (three beats)
Etude: a study, a piece aimed at teaching a musical skill
Polonaise: a stately Polish processional dance in triple meter
Sonata: composition for one or two solo instruments in three movements
Impromptu: a composition of the Romantic Period. The name implies a somewhat casual origin of the piece
in the composer’s mind.
Week 24:
A. Review Rossini, Mendelssohn, Chopin
B. Introduce Robert Schumann
Schumann, Robert
(1810-1856)
Quick Notes:
A. Schumann was another tragic Romantic composer. He had periods of depression, tried to drown himself,
and lived the last 2 years of his life in an asylum.
B. Many confuse him with Schubert. Schubert http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bosouX_d8Y and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schubert had little wire glasses, looked like a mushroom and like to go fishing for
trout. Schumann http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Schumann ran a shoe shop and sold yellow shoes to The
Happy Farmer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKmpQjjQOBA . They both died young: Schubert=31 and
Schumann=46
C. His mother wanted him to be a lawyer; he obeyed and enrolled in law school. Then he met Felix
Mendelssohn and decided he liked musicians better than lawyers.
D. He decided to study piano with a very good teacher. He fell in love with the teacher’s daughter. Her
parents did not want them to marry but resorted to a lawsuit to win the right to marry her.
E. Robert and Clara Schumann helped the young Brahms by promoting his music and introducing him to other
famous composers. They became good friends and remained friends for all their lives.
F. He was one of the greatest composers of his time.
G. Clara became the greatest woman pianist of her generation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oz0bZm7Ktck She composed music and her works are now being
performed and recorded more frequently. She had written a total of 60 piano pieces. Included in this post is a
recording of the sprightly 'Impromptu in E Major (c.1843)' which she had composed at age 24
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9J9LyH0v2o
H. He wrote mostly for solo piano but his symphonies and concertos were also good.
Week 25:
A. Review Rossini, Mendelssohn, Chopin, and Schumann
B. Introduce Charles Gounod
Gounod, Charles
(1818-1893)
Quick Notes
A. Born in Paris.
B. His father was a painter and his mother a good pianist who have him lessons.
C. His early compositions were mostly sacred. His most popular sacred compositions were: Sanctus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vA2jzQq4bUM from his best-known mass, the Messe solennelle de Saint
Cecile http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cK89yk7VbBA
D. Known for 2 operas: Faust http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jf0Bhm9YQiU and Romeo and Juliet
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxKIZjbqHa4 .
E. Favorite children’s concert piece Funeral March of a Marionette
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eIk5DWUx_E
Week 26:
A. Review Rossini, Mendelssohn, Chopin, Schumann, and Gounod
B. Introduce Johann Strauss
Strauss, Johann Jr.
(1825-1899)
Quick Notes
A. Called the “Waltz King”. It is said that he couldn’t dance a waltz but he certainly could compose one. The
waltz was the popular dance of the 19th century in Europe, and the Strausses were the favorite composers of the
genre.
B. His father was a famous musician and also a composer of beautiful waltzes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYYTdtRrg8M . His orchestra was the official dance orchestra for Austrian
court balls. His father’s orchestra played at the coronation ball when Queen Victoria was crowned in England
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B02oDpKGEBM
C. Johann Jr played in competition with his father. Vienna was split into two camps, some preferring the father
and others the son. When the father died in 1849, Johann Jr took over his father’s orchestra. His popularity
became even greater than his father’s had been.
D. His waltzes are the most famous. Best-known waltz The Blue Danube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTqlLKBKFhg
E. Strauss also wrote operettas (a short opera, light and sentimental in character, with some spoken dialogue,
music and dancing), the most popular being Die Fledermaus (the flying mouse or bat)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPybrOxRoT4
F. He was a pop star of his day. Women proposed to him or tried to get a lock of his hair. He was married 3
times.
G. He is one of the world’s best-loved composers. When he died, a whole era came to an end- the end of
dancing Vienna http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4J0MKsG_is&feature=related
Week 27:
A. Review Rossini, Mendelssohn, Chopin, Schumann, Gounod, Strauss
B. Introduce Johannes Brahms
Brahms, Johannes
(1833-1897)
Quick Notes
A. Third member of the “Big Three B’s”: Bach, Beethoven and Brahms. There were all German. They fall in
chronological order: Baroque, Classical and Romantic
B. He was a musical child prodigy. His family lived in poverty in a crowded tenement (English word for
apartment) on the waterfront of Hamburg, Germany
http://www.expatexchange.com/lib_rd.cfm?articleid=2472&networkid=3
C. Brahms earned some badly needed coins by playing in taverns along the waterfront.
D. He hated school and he often went to be hungry. He made up little melodies and wrote them on paper with
a kind of musical notation that he had created.
E. He expresses all the rich warmth and expressiveness of the Romantic Period. There are not as many
beautiful melodies in his music as in Mozart or Chopin. His music has lush harmony.
G. Brahms once autographed a fan for the wife of Johann Strauss and wrote the melody of The Blue Danube,
followed by “Unfortunately not by Johannes Brahms”.
H. In the Romantic Period, composers did not find jobs with the church or court. They had to perform, or sell
their compositions, or teach (or move in with friends). Fortunately, life was kinder to him as he got older and
more established. Liszt praised him and Robert and Clara Schumann recognized his genius. The Schumanns
and Brahms were lifelong friends.
I. Unlike Beethoven, he became rich from the sales of his compositions as well as beloved and acclaimed.
*Don’t play symphonies or concertos as background music. They require your complete attention if you are to
enjoy and understand them. Probably only conductors and member of the orchestra really understand them.
Classical musicians need audiences at their concerts and people to buy their recordings, so they’ll be happy if
we love classical music and even begin to understand it.
Week 28:
A. Review Rossini, Mendelssohn, Chopin, Schumann, Gounod, Strauss, Brahms
B. Introduce Camille Saint-Saens
Saint-Saens, Camille
(1835-1921)
Quick Note:
A. A French composer.
B. A child prodigy. When he was 2 ½ years old, he began piano lessons. He finished his first exercise book in
a month and cried for more. He was taught to read musical notation when he was 3 and he was composing
songs and piano pieces when he was 5. When he was 4 ½ he played the piano in a performance for Beethoven
sonata for violin and piano. He went on to become a great organist and composer.
C. His Carnival of the Animals http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjaBGAfWGSU is familiar to most children.
At Halloween you can hear his Danse macabre http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyknBTm_YyM . It is a
tone poem based on a word poem by Henri Cazalis http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henri_Cazalis . Saint-Saens
paints a picture of the poem. You can hear the striking of midnight on the harp; you can count twelve strokes.
The Death tunes his violin, and the dance melody begins. The xylophone was a relatively new instrument in the
orchestra. He used it to depict the rattling of the skeleton’s bones. The second theme is quieter as the ghosts
float through the air. The dancing pace grows faster and faster until suddenly we hear the cock crow. Dawn
has arrived and the skeletons scurry back to their cold beds. If you listen carefully, you can hear the lids of two
coffins bang shut.
*Danse macabre is a French title. It is spelled with an “s” instead of a “c” as used in English. Macabre is a
French word that means “having death as a subject- ghastly- producing horror.
Week 29:
A. Review Rossini, Mendelssohn, Chopin, Schumann, Gounod, Strauss, Brahms, Saint-Saens
B. Introduce Georges Bizet
Bizet, Georges
(1838-1875)
Quick Notes
A. French and a child prodigy
B. He was admitted to the Paris Conservatory http://www.squidoo.com/Music_studies_in_France to study
music when he was only 9 and studies composition and piano.
C. He won many awards for his playing. He is primarily known for his operas. Carmen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axvhEUyVfX0 is his most popular opera but was not a success when it was
first presented. The audience was shocked by a girl smoking on stage and by the sensual story. Later audiences
appreciated the wonderful music and were no longer shocked by the story. Unfortunately he died 3 months
after the opening so he never knew that it became a hit.
D. The story of Carmen takes place in Spain. However because Bizet was French, the libretto (the text of the
opera) is French. See http://www.musicatschool.co.uk/year_7/MajorandMinor/storyofCarmen.pdf
Story Notes:
-Don Jose is ordered to arrest Carmen, a gypsy girl who works in a factory in Seville, Spain because she
fights with another girl. After she sings Habanera http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7a7yb3dWhJs (make
sure to listen through 2:40) and dances, he is charmed by her and lets her escape. He is arrested and put in jail.
Once he is out of jail he goes to her but she has lost interest in him. When Escamillo, a bullfighter, sings his
Toreador http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8Ult8x-doE , she falls for him. Don Jose’s boss falls in love
with her and fights him over her. His boss is forced to leave. Because of the trouble, Don Jose runs off with
Carmen and the gypsies. He is miserable with the gypsies because Carmen ignores him. He leaves when his
former girlfriend comes to tell him his mother is dying. The last scene takes place outside the bullring in
Seville. Carmen is now with Escamillo. Don Jose finds Carmen at the bullfight but she tells him to get lost.
He stabs her in the back saying “Carmen! My beloved Carmen”! Then he waits to be taken away.
Definitions:
Libretto: the words, as distinct from the music, of a musical composition such as an opera or an oratorio.
Habanero: a Cuban dance in 2/4 syncopated rhythm
Toro: Spanish for bull
Toreador: Spanish for bullfighter
Week 30:
A. Review Rossini, Mendelssohn, Chopin, Schumann, Gounod, Strauss, Brahms, Saint-Saens, Bizet
B. Introduce Peter Tchaikovsky
Tchaikovsky, Peter
(1840-1893)
Quick Notes
A. Probably the most famous Russian composer, wrote ballets, symphones, overtures, concertos, and operas.
His ballets are especially captivating for children such as Swan Lake
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_5WCZ-XvG4 , Sleeping Beauty
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfqQvX8C0Go and The Nutcracker Suite in Volume One of Themes to
Remember http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZjcfgypPUM
B. His love of music began at an early age. He listened to music on a music box and played the melodies on
the piano. He began lessons at age 5. He was a very sensitive child. After going to bed as a child after a
concert, he said “the music won’t leave my head. It won’t let me go to sleep”.
C. He preferred to be by himself, to play the piano, to read or write poetry. As an adult, he was also
uncomfortable around other people. One of his greatest friendships was maintained by letter for 13 years with a
person he never met, Madame von Meck http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nadezhda_von_Meck
D. His parents sent him to law school so he’d be able to support himself. Like Schumann he decided he liked
musicians better and enrolled at the St. Petersburg Conservatory in Russia http://istud.conservatory.ru/ . He
ended up broke and tried to make money teaching, which wasn’t much better. A rich widow, Madame von
Meck, decided that she loved his music and offered him an allowance for the rest of his life. He was free to
devote all his time to composing and dedicated his Fourth Symphony http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLHjeekdNU to Madame von Meck.
E. His melodies enveloped in a rich, romantic warmth. Unlike many composers, he enjoyed recognition and
great popularity while he was still living. One of the highlights of his life was conducting his 1812 Overture
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2W1Wi2U9sQ at the grand opening of Carnegie Hall in NYC in 1891.
Definitions:
Suite: in general terms, a suite is a set of something, like a suite of rooms or a living room suite. In music it
refers to a series of instrumental dances as in the Nutcracker Suite.
Week 31:
A. Review Rossini, Mendelssohn, Chopin, Schumann, Gounod, Strauss, Brahms, Saint-Saens, Bizet,
Tchaikovsky
B. Introduce Antonin Dvorak
Dvorak, Antonin
(1841-1904)
Quick Notes
A. Came from Bohemia, later known as The Czech Republic.
B. His father was a butcher who played the zither http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1FlDdNLkD4 for
weddings. Dvorak played fiddle along with his father and learned the songs and dances of his people. He used
these melodies in his music which was immediately popular with his countrymen. It is cheerful and full of folk
melodies.
C. He spent 3 years in NY as a director of the National Conservatory of Music
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Conservatory_of_Music_of_America . He was surprised to learn that he
was expected to lead the delopment of an “America” style music. He began by listening to “folk” music. He
especially liked the music of African Americans and sang their spirituals with them. Some people said that he
used themese form spirituals with them. Some people said the he used themes from spiritual in the second
movement of the New World Symphony http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ENf4VEhI40 . He insisted that he
composed only in the “spirit” of the music.
D. He visited “middle America”. His secretary had spent his childhood in Spillville, Iowa which is a Bohemian
community in northeast Iowa and wanted to return to his townhome. He suggested Dvorak travel with him and
spent the summer there.
E. He played the organ in the large Catholic church that his people attended. That organ is still played for the
services in the church http://www.flickr.com/photos/ioensis/3817000378/ . There is also a museum in the house
where he lived that summer http://music.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/9909_dvorak/ .
F. It was in Spillville that he composed a beautiful string quartet and a string quintet known as the American
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiPA2Iw4IGg .
G. He wrote his New World Symphony No. 9 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yctfXIqugXc in honor of his
American visit. We think it sounds American but he said that it sounds like Czech music.
Week 32:
A. Review Rossini, Mendelssohn, Chopin, Schumann, Gounod, Strauss, Brahms, Saint-Saens, Bizet,
Tchaikovsky, Dvorak
Grieg, Edvard
(1843-1907)
Quick Notes
A. He was most famous composer of Norway. He lived in at time when many composers felt proud of their
countries (nationalism) and were using folk melodies in their classical compositions.
B. He put the spirit of Norway into his compositions and the people loved it.
C. The Norwegian government granted him a pension for life.
D. One of his most popular works is the Peer Gynt Suit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAMLCDnCLzs .
He wrote this as incidental music for Henrik Ibsen’s drama Peer Gynt
http://www.theatredatabase.com/19th_century/henrik_ibsen_004.html .
Peer Gynt in the Hall of the Mountain King (What it is about)
Peer Gynt lived in Norway, a land of mountains that rise out of deep blue waters. These mountains are the
home of the trolls, strange little people who come out of their caves only after dark.
Peer Gynt was a handsome young man, but he had some very bad habits. He was lazy, he was selfish and he
told lies.
Peer slept late every morning. He wouldn’t get out of bed in the morning to help his mother feed the goats and
geese. His room was a mess but he didn’t care.
Everyone knew that Peer told stories that we not true. Nobody could ever tell whether he was lying or telling
the truth.
Peer had decided that he would marry a very pretty girl just his own age. Her name was Solveig. Though
Solveig liked Peer very much, she told him he would have to tell the truth or else they could never marry and
be happy. “Some day”, Solveig said to Peer, “you’ll tell a story that will get you into very serious trouble”.
Peer just laughed at her. He didn’t know how true those words of Solveig’s were. She began to cry but Peer
didn’t care. He went out for a walk in the woods. He ended up getting lost and trolls come out around him
while he slept in the woods and carried him deep into their cave to the Hall of the Mountain King. When he
woke up he told them that he was King of Norway and they believed him. They were going to let him go but
once they found out he was a King they wanted him to marry their daughter. He tried to tell them that he was
not a King but they did not believe him and he was married to the Troll Princess. It took 3 years to find a way
to sneak away from the trolls.
Music Timeline
325
Constantine declares Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire. The spread of Christianity
in the western world spurred the development of European music.
600
Pope Gregory the Great codifies and collects the chant, which is used in Roman Catholic services and is
named the Gregorian chant in his honor.
c. 850
Western music begins to move from monophony to polyphony with the vocal parts in church music
moving in parallel intervals.
c. 1030
Guido of Arezzo, an Italian monk, develops a system for learning music by ear. Voice students often use
the system, called solfège, to memorize their vocal exercises. In the 19th century, solf ège developed
into the tonic sol-fa system used today.
c. 1180
Troubadours appear in Germany and call themselves minnesingers, “singers about love.”
1430
The Renaissance begins. This rebirth favors the simplistic virtues of Greek and Roman Classic styles,
moves from polyphony to one harmonized melody and sees the increased importance and popularity of
secular music. Josquin Desprez, often called the Prince of Music, is a leading composer of the
Renaissance. He worked for ducal courts in Italy and France, at the Sistine Chapel and for kings Louis
XI and Louis XII.
1562
In Pope Pius IV's Counter-Reformation, he restores church music to its pure vocal form by eliminating
all instruments except the organ, any evidence of secularism, harmony and folk melody. Giovanni Da
Palestrina satisfies the pope's rigid requirements and creates a new spiritual style that legend says “saved
polyphony” when he writes Pope Marcellus Mass, his most famous and enchanting piece.
1565
In Italian music, castration emerges as a way of preserving high male singing voices. St. Paul's dictum
prohibited women from singing on stage and in churches. The practice becomes commonplace by 1574.
1588
The English Madrigal School is firmly established. The movement, led by Thomas Morley, produces
some of the most delightful secular music ever heard. Madrigals often told stories of love or grief.
1590–1604
A group of musicians and intellectuals gather in Count Giovanni de Bardi's camerata (salon) and discuss
and experiment with music drama. It is during this period that opera is born. Jacopo Peri's Dafne, the
first Italian opera, is produced in 1598 and Euridice in 1600.
c. 1600
The Baroque period, characterized by strict musical forms and highly ornamental works, begins in
Europe. This period signals the end of the Renaissance.
1607
Italian master composer Claudio Monteverdi writes the opera Orfeo, Favola in Musica, a work deemed
to be a prime example of the early Baroque musical form.
1625
Francesca Caccini, who most historians say is the first female composer, finishes the opera-ballet La
Liberazione di Ruggiero, which is performed at a reception for Wladyslaw IV of Poland.
1631
Professional female singers appear for the first time on the English stage in the production of Chloridia,
a court masque produced by Ben Jonson and Inigo Jones.
1639
The first comic opera, Chi Soffre Speri by Virgilio Mazzocchi and Marco Marazzoli, premieres in
Rome.
1656
Henry Lawes and Matthew Locke add music to William Davenant's libretto The Siege of Rhodes, which
is performed at the Rutland House in London. Davenant helps make the opera-masque a form of public
entertainment.
1666
The first signed Stradivarius violins emerge from Antonio Stradivari's workshop in Cremona, Italy.
1675
Matthew Locke composes Psyche, the first surviving English opera.
1685
Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frederick Handel are born. They become principal classical
composers of the Baroque period. Bach, who fathers 20 children, explores musical forms associated
with the church and Handel works as a dramatic composer.
1689
Henry Purcell's Dido and Aeneas opens in London.
1703
Vivaldi becomes violin master at Venice's La Pieta orphanage. He writes more then 400 concertos for
La Pieta in his 35-year service there.
1705
Reinhard Keiser uses French horns for the first time in opera in his production of Octavia.
1725
Vivaldi writes The Four Seasons.
1733
The comic opera, La Serva Padrona, from Battista Pergolesi's serious opera Il Prigionier Superbo,
wows Europe with its humorous story and enchanting music.
1735
Handel produces his last great operatic success, Alcina, which features dancer Marie Salle.
1742
Handel's Messiah premieres in Dublin to an enthusiastic audience.
1750
Bach dies. The end of the Baroque period is often seen in conjunction with his death. The highly ornate
style of the Baroque period gives rise to the more simple, clarified styles of the Classical period, which
sees the emergence of symphonies and string quartets.
1761
Franz Joseph Haydn becomes Vice-Kapellmeister to the Esterhazy family and Kapellmeister in 1766.
Though living virtually as a slave to the family, he had at his disposal an impressive orchestra. During
his 30-year service to the family, he completes 108 symphonies, 68 string quartets, 47 piano sonatas, 26
operas, 4 oratorios and hundreds of smaller pieces.
1762
Christoph Willibald von Glück sets out to reform opera with his Orfeo ed Euridice. He wants to restore
opera to what the original composers intended it to be—an art form marked by high drama, few
recitatives and orchestral set-pieces.
1786
Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro premieres in Vienna.
1787
Mozart's Don Giovanni debuts in Prague.
1797
Franz Peter Schubert is born in Vienna. Though many musicians make Vienna their home, Schubert is
the only one to be born there.
1803
Beethoven produces his third symphony, Eröica. This piece marks the beginning of the Romantic
period, in which the formality of the Classical period is replaced by subjectivity.
1807
Beethoven completes his Symphony No. 5, which many consider to be the most popular classical work
ever written.
1810
Robert Schumann is born in Germany.
1815
Schubert writes “Der Erlkönig,” his first public success and most famous song.
1816
Gioacchino Rossini's The Barber of Seville, based on Pierre Beaumarchais's play, debuts in Rome. His
Otello opens in Naples.
1818
Beethoven's hearing has deteriorated so badly that he no longer can hear the piano and must
communicate with conversation books.
1821
Carl Maria von Weber's Der Freischutz debuts in Berlin, and he becomes the master of German opera.
1826
Mendelssohn writes the overture to A Midsummer Night's Dream, which debuts in Stettin in 1827.
1832
Schumann's career as a pianist is over as one of his fingers becomes paralyzed.
1839
The New York Philharmonic is established.
1851
Verdi's Rigoletto debuts in Venice.
1853
Richard Wagner publishes the librettos to Der Ring des Nibelungen (The Ring Cycle): Das Rheingold,
Die Walküre, Seigfried and Die Götterdämerung. The Ring Cycle is considered one of the most
ambitious musical projects ever undertaken by a single person.
1854
Liszt conducts the first performance of his symphonic poems in Weimar. The symphonic poem is an
orchestral work, often in one movement, and is usually based on a literary idea. Liszt is credited with
creating the genre. His symphonic poems include Orpheus, Les Preludes and Mazeppa.
c. 1860
The slave trade introduces West African rhythms, work songs, chants and spirituals to America, which
strongly influence blues and jazz.
Gustav Mahler is born in Bohemia.
1871
Verdi's Aïda premieres in Cairo.
1874
Verdi's Requiem, his most respected work, premieres in Milan.
1876
Tchaikovsky completes Swan Lake. It opens in 1877 at Moscow's Bolshoi Theatre.
Wagner's The Ring Cycle is performed in full at the Bayreuth Festival. The opera house was built to
accomodate Wagner's works.
Johannes Brahms completes his First Symphony. Twenty years in the making, the symphony received
mixed reviews but would become one of the most popular ever written.
1877
Thomas Edison invents sound recording.
Camille Saint-Saën's Samson et Dalila debuts in Weimar.
1878
Thomas Edison patents the phonograph.
1880
John Paine's symphony, In Spring, debuts in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It is the first American
symphony published in the United States.
Tchaikovsky writes the 1812 Overture, commemorating Russia's defeat of Napoleon.
1881
The Boston Symphony Orchestra is established.
1882
The Berlin Philharmonic is established.
1883
The Metropolitan Opera House opens in New York.
1885
Gilbert and Sullivan finish The Mikado, which premieres in London.
1888
Strauss writes the symphonic poem, Don Juan, which brings him international fame.
1890
Tchaikovsky's The Sleeping Beauty debuts in St. Petersburg.
1891
Carnegie Hall opens in New York.
1893
Dvorak composes his best and most popular work, From the New World.
1896
Ragtime, a combination of West Indian rhythm and European musical form, is born.
1900
Jean Sibelius's Finlandia premieres in Helsinki.
1901
Mahler's Fourth Symphony, his most popular, debuts in Munich.
1902
Claude Debussy introduces impressionism to music in Pelléas and Mélisande at the Opéra Comique in
Paris.
1904
The London Symphony Orchestra is established.
1908
A major change in classical-music style comes about with the release of Arnold Schoenberg's Book of
Hanging Gardens. The harmony and tonality characteristic of classical music are replaced by
dissonance, creating what many listeners consider to be noise.
1910
Igor Stravinsky completes The Firebird for Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets Russes. Stravinsky will become
one of the greatest composers of the 20th century.
1911
Strauss's Der Rosenkavalier premieres in Dresden.
1913
Billboard magazine publishes a list of the most popular vaudeville songs. It's the predecessor to their
trademark charts.
1916
Charles Ives finishes his Fourth Symphony, his defining piece.
1919
After moving from its southern rural roots, jazz establishes Chicago as its capital. The city will become
home to such jazz greats as trumpeter Louis Armstrong and pianist Jelly Roll Morton.
1923
“Queen of the Blues” Bessie Smith records her first song, “Down Hearted Blues,” which becomes an
immediate success.
1924
The Juilliard School opens in New York.
Maurice Ravel's Bolero opens in Paris.
George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue premieres in New York.
1925
Alban Berg's Wozzeck opens in Berlin.
1932
Jazz composer Duke Ellington writes “It Don't Mean a Thing, If It Ain't Got That Swing,” a song that
presaged the swing era of the 1930s and 1940s.
1933
Laurens Hammond introduces his Hammond organ.
1936
Electric guitars debut.
1937
Bela Bartok's masterpiece, Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta, premieres in Basel.
The Glenn Miller Band debuts in New York.
1938
Roy Acuff joins the Grand Ole Opry and brings national recognition to the Nashville-based radio
program.
1942
Bing Crosby releases "White Christmas," from the film Holiday Inn. The song goes on to be the alltime, top-selling song from a film.
RCA Victor sprays gold over Glenn Miller's million-copy-seller Chattanooga Choo Choo, creating the
first "gold record."
1945
Benjamin Britten's Peter Grimes premieres in London, which signals the rebirth of British opera.
1948
Columbia Records introduces the 33 1/3 LP (“long playing”) record at New York's Waldorf-Astoria
Hotel. It allows listeners to enjoy an unprecedented 25 minutes of music per side, compared to the four
minutes per side of the standard 78 rpm record.
1949
45 rpm records are sold in the U.S.
1951
In an effort to introduce rhythm and blues to a broader white audience, which was hesitant to embrace
“black music,” disc jockey Alan Freed uses the term rock 'n' roll to describe R&B.
Elliott Carter composes his String Quartet No. 1 and becomes a leading avant-garde composer of the
20th century.
1954
Bill Haley and the Comets begin writing hit songs. As a white band using black-derived forms, they
venture into rock 'n' roll.
Pierre Boulez completes Le Marteau Sans Maître (The Hammer Without a Master).
1956
With many hit singles (including “Heartbreak Hotel”), Elvis Presley emerges as one of the world's first
rock stars. The gyrating rocker enjoys fame on the stages of the Milton Berle, Steve Allen and Ed
Sullivan shows, as well as in the first of his many movies, Love Me Tender.
1957
Leonard Bernstein completes West Side Story.
1958
Billboard debuts its Hot 100 chart. Ricky Nelson's "Poor Little Fool" boasts the first No. 1 record.
Elvis Presley is inducted into the U.S. Army (March 24).
1959
The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences sponsors the first Grammy Award ceremony for
music recorded in 1958.
Frank Sinatra wins his first Grammy Award -- Best Album for Come Dance with Me.
1960
John Coltrane forms his own quartet and becomes the voice of jazz's New Wave movement.
1961
Patsy Cline releases “I Fall to Pieces” and “Crazy.” The success of the songs help her cross over from
country to pop.
1963
A wave of Beatlemania hits the U.K. The Beatles, a British band composed of John Lennon, George
Harrison, Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney, take Britain by storm.
The Rolling Stones emerge as the anti-Beatles, with an aggressive, blues-derived style.
1964
Folk musician Bob Dylan becomes increasingly popular during this time of social protest with songs
expressing objection to the condition of American society.
The Beatles appear on The Ed Sullivan Show.
1967
The Beatles release their break-through concept album, Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
Psychedelic bands such as The Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane enjoy great success during this
period with songs celebrating the counterculture of the '60s.
1969
In August, more than half a million people attend the Woodstock music festival in Bethel, N.Y. (near
Woodstock, N.Y.) Performers include Janis Joplin; Jimi Hendrix; The Who; Joan Baez; Crosby, Stills,
Nash and Young; Jefferson Airplane; and Sly and the Family Stone.
A Rolling Stones fan is killed at the group's Altamont, California, concert by members of the Hell's
Angels.
1970
The Beatles break up. By the end of the year, each member had released a solo album.
1971
Jim Morrison dies in Paris at age 27 (July 3).
The Allman Brothers' Duane Allman dies in a motorcycle accident at age 24. (Oct. 29).
1972
Women dominate the 1971 Grammy Awards, taking all four top categories. Carole King won Record,
Album and Song of the Year, while Carly Simon takes the Best New Artist award.
1973
The Jamaican film The Harder They Come, starring Jimmy Cliff, launches the popularity of reggae
music in the United States.
1974
Patti Smith releases what is considered to be the first punk rock single, “Hey Joe.” Punk roars out of
Britain during the late-'70s, with bands such as the Sex Pistols and the Clash expressing nihilistic and
anarchistic views in response to a lack of opportunity in Britain, boredom, and antipathy for the bland
music of the day.
1976
Philip Glass completes Einstein on the Beach, the first widely known example of minimalist
composition.
1977
Saturday Night Fever sparks the disco inferno.
Elvis Presley dies at Graceland, his Memphis, Tenn. home. He was 42.
1978
Sony introduces the Walkman, the first portable stereo.
1979
The Sugar Hill Gang releases the first commercial rap hit, “Rapper's Delight,” bringing rap off the New
York streets and into the popular music scene. Rap originated in the mid 1970s as rhyme spoken over an
instrumental track provided by snatches of music from records. Over the decades, rap becomes one of
the most important commercial and artistic branches of pop music.
1980
John Lennon of the Beatles shot dead in New York City.
1981
MTV goes on the air running around the clock music videos, debuting with “Video Killed the Radio
Star.”
1982
Michael Jackson releases Thriller, which sells more than 25 million copies, becoming the biggest-selling
album in history.
1983
With the introduction of noise-free compact discs, the vinyl record begins a steep decline.
1984
Led by Bob Geldof, the band Band Aid releases "Do They Know It's Christmas," with proceeds of the
single going to feed the starving in Africa.
1985
Madonna launches her first road show, the Virgin Tour.
Dozens of top-name musicians and bands perform at the Live Aid concerts in Philadelphia and London.
The shows benefit African famine victims.
1987
Though African, Latin American,and other genres of international music have been around for centuries,
a group of small, London-based labels coin the term “world music,” which helps record sellers find rack
space for the eclectic music.
1988
CDs outsell vinyl records for the first time.
1990
Euro dance band Milli Vanilli admits to lip-synching hits such as "Girl You Know Its True," and has its
Grammy award revoked.
1991
Seattle band Nirvana releases the song “Smells Like Teen Spirit” on the LP Nevermind and enjoys
national success. With Nirvana's hit comes the grunge movement, which is characterized by distorted
guitars, dispirited vocals,and lots of flannel.
1992
Compact discs surpass cassette tapes as the preferred medium for recorded music.
1994
Woodstock '94 commemorates the original weekend-long concert. Green Day and Nine Inch Nails join
Woodstock veterans including Santana and Joe Cocker.
1995
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum opens in Cleveland. Renowned architect I. M. Pei designed
the ultra-modern, 150,000 square-foot building.
Grateful Dead frontman Jerry Garcia dies.
1996
Janet Jackson becomes the highest-paid musician in history when she signs an $80-million deal with
Virgin Records.
Jazz great Ella Fitzgerald dies.
1998
Legendary crooner Frank Sinatra dies of a heart attack at age 82.
The first MP3 player is introduced, the Saehan/Eiger Labs F10/F20.
1999
The merger of two major recording labels, Universal and Polygram, causes upheaval in the recording
industry. It is estimated that the new company, Universal Music Group, controls 25% of the worldwide
music market.
Woodstock '99 kicks off in Rome, N.Y. Concertgoers complain that the spirit of the original Woodstock
has been compromised and commercialized.
Napster, the first widely used peer-to-peer file-sharing program, is introduced. At one point, the service
is home to more than 24 million users.
2001
Apple introduces the iPod, which goes on to revolutionize the music industry and the way music is sold.
As of late 2006, 70 million iPods had been sold and consumers had purchased some 1 billion songs from
the iTunes digital music store.
2002
Bruce Springsteen begins The Rising tour, visiting 46 different arenas in 46 different cities. The tour
later stops at stadiums across the world and includes 10 consecutive shows at New Jersey’s Giants
Stadium.
2005
In May, Live 8 is hosted at ten different sites around the world in an attempt to raise poverty awareness
prior to July’s G8 conference. The free event is highlighted by a reunion of the original Pink Floyd
lineup. It is the first time the band has played together in 24 years.
2006
“The Godfather of Soul” James Brown dies of heart failure on December 25th at age 73.
Nearly 800 different record stores, including all Tower Records retailers, close their doors as the
industry sees a seventh-straight year of declining sales largely attributed to the increase in sales of digital
music.
2007
After years of consolidation, 70% of the world’s music is sold by one of four companies: Universal,
Sony BMG, EMI, and Warner. All of these companies are part of large media conglomerates.
The Rolling Stone’s multi-year A Bigger Bang tour surpasses U2’s Vertigo tour to become the topgrossing tour of all time, earning $437 million.