Music Appreciation

Class Basics Goal: Develop an appreciation for music. Understand historical context of music. Understand the basics of the music we are listening to. Expose ourselves to a wide variety of genres, from classical music to classic rock to blues to jazz, etc.

Ludwig van Beethoven Born December 16 th, 1770(?) In Bonn, Germany Baptized December 17 th, symphonies, 5 piano concertos, 32 piano sonatas, 16 string quartets, 1 opera (“Fidelio”) and other works as well Virtuoso Pianist Began to lose his hearing in 1800 – experienced a “ringing” sensation in his ear and was almost completely deaf at the time of his death Famous for his temperamental personality Died March 26 th, 1827

Symphony No. 6 (“Pastoral”) Composed and completed by Beethoven in 1808 Completed while working in the countryside – was simultaneously working on the fiery Symphony No. 5 Uses explicit programmatic content – Music, notes meant to create a narrative and imagery for the listener Premiered along with Symphony No. 5 on December 8 th, 1808 in Vienna’s Theater an der Wien Beethoven was a nature lover who often took long walks in the woods, worked in secluded places Piccolo, flutes(4 th movement only), oboes, clarinets, bassoons, horns, trumpets (3 rd, 4 th, 5 th only), trombones (4 th and 5 th only), timpani (4 th only), and strings Listening: 1 st Movement (Erwachen heiterer Empfindungen bei der Ankunft auf dem Lande – Awakening of cheerful feelings upon arrival in the countryside) Allegro ma non troppo Listen for motifs (short succession of notes in a melodic formula) meant to replicate patterns in nature