In The Hall of the Mountain King, written by Grieg
Edvard Grieg was a Romantic Era composer from Norway. He wrote the music for a play called "Peer Gynt" where Peer traveled to the four corners of the world. In this adventure, he is traveling to a castle where trolls live! Greig used tempo (it gets faster) and dynamics (it gets louder) to make this song seem like a chase. Edvard Grieg's mother taught him to play the piano. Thanks, mom!
Edvard Grieg was a Romantic Era composer from Norway. He wrote the music for a play called "Peer Gynt" where Peer traveled to the four corners of the world. In this adventure, he is traveling to a castle where trolls live! Greig used tempo (it gets faster) and dynamics (it gets louder) to make this song seem like a chase. Edvard Grieg's mother taught him to play the piano. Thanks, mom!
La Canarie, written by Praetorius
Praetorius was a composer from the Renaissance Era, which is when the printing press was invented. He wrote this song for dancing, which is considered secular music (for entertainment), but he also wrote sacred music (for church). He uses a lute and tambourine in this piece, as well as dotted rhythms and a meter of 3.
Praetorius was a composer from the Renaissance Era, which is when the printing press was invented. He wrote this song for dancing, which is considered secular music (for entertainment), but he also wrote sacred music (for church). He uses a lute and tambourine in this piece, as well as dotted rhythms and a meter of 3.
Musette from Notebook for Anna Magdalena by Bach
Bach was born in Germany to a very musical family. He is known as the "Father of Classical Music" because he influenced so many composers that came after him. Bach wrote during the Baroque Era, and although he was good at many instruments, he was especially talented at the organ. Bach wrote this for his wife, Anna Magdalena, to play on her harpsichord.
"Overture" from The Magic Flute by Mozart
Mozart was a child prodigy becuase he was composing music by the age of 5! He composed during the Classical Era and was very famous throughout Europe... he even played for royalty! He wrote several operas, including The Magic Flute. The overture of an opera or ballet is the introduction, which is played before the performance begins.
Flight of the Bumblebee from Tsar Saltan by Rimsky-Korsakov
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov was a Russian composer from the Romantic Era. He was very patriotic and even wrote his first symphony while in the Navy, on a voyage at sea. He was part of "THE FIVE", which were five Russian composers who used Russian folk songs in their compositions. This opera comes from an old Russian legend where a prince turns into a bumblebee to save a princess who has turned into a swan. This song is recognized for its fast tempo and rapid sixteenth notes.
Carillon from L'Arlesienne, Suite No. 1 by Bizet
Bizet was born in France and even joined the Paris Conservatory of Music just before he turned 10. He wrote the music for L'Arlesienne which means "The girl from Arles". A suite is an instrumental piece that is made up of several smaller pieces which we call "movements". Carillon has 3 sections (ABA) as well as a 3 note ostinato. An ostinato is a repeated pattern. This ostinato sounds happy. Carillon was written in the Romantic Era.
Stars and Stripes Forever by Sousa
Sousa grew up hearing military music because his dad played trombone in the Marine Band. The Sousaphone is named after Sousa, but his favorite instrument was the violin. Sousa earned the nickname "The March King" because he wrote over 100 marches. Stars and Stripes is the official march of the U.S. and features a piccolo solo. This song is from the 20th century.
Short Ride in a Fast Machine by Adams
John Adams was born into a musical family. He began composing at 10 and his first orchestral pieces were performed as a teenager. This song is an example of the minimalistic style, which uses repitition of few musical ideas. This song is also from the 20th century, and feature the brass and percussion sections (listen for the woodblock!)
There they are! All eight composers! Your test is coming up, so start studying these composers. You all know this material, and I know you'll do great.
