MUSIC MEMORY GAME

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DIRECTIONS FOR GAMEWelcome to a fun computer game I created for you. On the next slides, you will be challenged to match the composer with the correct composition. The composer’s name is at the top of the card. Click on one of the colored squares on the card to see if you can match them up. If you are correct, you will be taken to a “correct answer” card. If you get it wrong, you will be taken to an “incorrect answer” at which point you will have to try again. When you get the answer right, you will then see an information card with details about the composition as well as the composer. Good luck and, most importantly, HAVE FUN!!!

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CARL ORFF

Carmina Burana: “O Fortuna” Ruins of Athens: “Turkish March”

Das Jahr (The Year): February, “Scherzo”

“Hungarian Dance No. 5”

Carmina Burana: “O Fortuna”• Orff, German 1895 – 1982• Influential music teacher, inventor and composer of Contemporary Period• Began studying piano at age 5; also studied cello and organ• As a child, he created puppet shows that sometimes included music for violin and

glockenspiel• Nearly killed while serving in German army during WWI• Married 4 times• Lived through 4 eras: German Empire; Weimar Republic; Nazi Germany and post WWII

West German Bundesrepublik• Designed elementary music classroom instruments with removable bars known as

xylophones, metallophones and glockenspiels• “O Fortuna” first performed in Germany in 1937• Piece composed to “paint medieval vision of fortune’s wheel and man’s life turning with

it from love to death, happiness to misery.”• Based on Latin poems written by monks in 13th century. Collection of poems was found

in Bavaria in 1803.• Written for chorus and orchestra – often performed with dancers, as a ballet.• Begins ff (fortissimo)• Sung in Latin

Ponce

Symphony No. 40: Movement 1

Turandot: “Nessun Dorma”

Mazurcas: No. 23 in a minor


Mazurcas: No. 23 in a minor• Ponce was born in the tiny Mexican village of Fresnillo in 1882. He died in 1948 at the age of

66.• He was sent to study music in Europe when he was a young man.• One of his teachers, Paul Dukas, was so impressed with Ponce’s work that he once gave Ponce

a grade of 300 instead of 100!• After living overseas, Ponce came back to Mexico to teach at the National Conservatory of

Music in Mexico City where he had once been a student.• His best known pieces are for guitar, but he also wrote for orchestra, chamber ensembles and

solo instruments like the piano.• The Mazurcas were written b Ponce during the 1920’s and ’30’s. • The Mazurka is considered the national dance of Poland. When spelled in Spanish, the ‘k” is

replaced with a “c.”• You can hear the original Polish dance, a concert form and style and hints of Ponce’s Mexican

culture.• Each theme is in a different key and mode: the A theme is in minor, and the B and C themes are

in major keys.• Rondo form – music with a recurring A section, such as A B A C A• Sequence – a melodic pattern repeated at a higher or lower pitch• Trill – moving quickly between two close pitches • The A theme is heard 4 times in this piece• The piano is the featured solo instrument

Bach

Messiah: “Hallelujah Chorus”

Brandenburg Concerto No. 2: Movement 3

Symphony No. 1: Finale

The Nutcracker Suite: “March”


• Bach was born in Germany in 1685 – died in Germany in 1750 at the age of 65 from a stroke.• Learned to play several instruments but the organ was his favorite• He wrote over 1200 pieces of music• He had 20 children – 4 grew up to be composers• He was put in jail so he wouldn’t be able to quit a job he wanted to quit. While in jail, he wrote 46

pieces of music.• He loved good food and coffee – he wrote an entire cantata about coffee.• He went blind – more than likely from working in poor light for so many years. • This piece features the trumpet, oboe, violin and recorder.• Theme is played by different solo instruments, sometimes alone and sometimes with other

instruments.• The Tutti sections are played by all or most of the instruments together and the main theme is

usually not heard.• The accompaniment instruments are cello and harpsicord.• Bach wrote this as a sort of job application to Prince Brandenburg. Bach didn’t get the job,

although this piece is very well known.• Solo – one instrument plays the melody alone.• Tutti – all or most of the instruments play together.• Duple meter – beats grouped in sets of two.• This piece features a piccolo trumpet which is much smaller and sounds much higher than a

regular trumpet or cornet.• Main theme is heard 10 times• Bach lived during the Baroque Period.

Holst

The Planets: “Mars” Trumpet Concerto in Eb Major: Movement 3

“Washington Post March”


The Planets: “Mars”• Gustav Holst was born in England in 1874 – died in 1934 at the age of 60• Grandfather played the harp; father played the organ; mother was a singer• Holst played several instruments as a young man but ultimately chose trombone as

his major instrument• Went to school with Ralph Vaughan Williams at the Royal College of Music• He was skinny and shy; was a vegetarian; liked to take long walks• Worked very hard at composing; had many disappointments; some satisfying

successes, including “The Planets”• This is an orchestral suite written between 1914 and 1916, during the Contemporary

Period• Each movement was named for a planet in our solar system – Earth was not included• Pluto was not included because it had not been discovered at the time this piece was

composed• “Mars” features a rhythmic ostinato that is 5 beats long and includes triplets. It is

heard through much of the piece.• Triplet – 3 notes that sound on one beat• The movements of The Planets are: Mars, the Bringer of War; Venus, the Bringer of

Peace; Mercury, the Winged Messenger; Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity; Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age; Uranus, the Magician; Neptune, the Mystic.

Puccini

Carmen: “Toreador Song”

Carmina Burana: “O Fortuna”


Die Walküre: “Ride of the Valkyries”

Turandot: “Nessun Dorma”• Puccini was born in Italy in 1858 and died in 1924 at the age of 66. Composed during the

Romantic Period.• Studied music early in his life and began composing opera in his 20’s• His first hit opera, Manon Lescaut, was a world-wide sensation. From then on, his operas

caused as much excitement as blockbuster movies do today.• Corresponded with American inventor Thomas Edison who gave him a phonograph.• Puccini never finished writing Turandot. He suffered a heart attack before it was completed.• The opera is set in Peking, China. “Nessun Dorma” is an aria from the final act. Sung by Calaf,

the unknown prince, who has fallen in love with Princess Turandot.• The princess is challenged to guess his name. She orders the people of Peking to search for the

answer and “no one will sleep’ until she knows his name.• Calaf sings “Nessun Dorma” (no one sleeps). The final words “Vincero! Vincero! Translate to “I

will win!”• Puccini’s music is full of long, flowing melodic lines like those in “Nessun Dorma,” one of his best-

loved arias.• Aria – a solo vocal piece featuring one singer in opera• Opera – music drama combining vocal and instrumental music, acting, scenery, costumes and

sometimes dance to tell a story• This is performed by solo tenor singer and orchestra• Composed for Chinese New Year• Melodic direction shows the melody getting higher, lower or staying the same

Haydn



Trumpet Concerto in Eb Major: Movement 3

Messiah: “Hallelujah Chorus


• Haydn was born in Austria in 1732. Died in 1809 at the age of 77• Great musical ability and beautiful singing voice as a child – left home at age of 6 to

begin musical training• Nicknamed “Father of the Symphony” because he perfected the form• Composed over 100 symphonies during the Classical Period• He was happy and cheerful and loved practical jokes – sometimes put tricks into his

music• Close friend of Mozart; Beethoven was one of his students• Mozart’s Requiem was played at his funeral• This piece was written for solo trumpet with supporting flute, oboe, French horn,

trumpet, timpani and strings• Written in 1796 for his friend who invented new kind of trumpet that could play more

complex melodies in addition to the older “trumpet calls”• The trumpeter plays a fancy solo called a cadenza• The main theme, or parts of the main theme, are heard 10 times in this selection• Melodic direction – way the melody moves up, down or stays the same• Dynamics – how loud or soft the music is• Cadenza – elaborate or showy solo passage created by the performer• This piece begins piano (soft)

Handel





Messiah: “Hallelujah Chorus”• Handel was born in Germany in 1685 – died in 1759 at the age of 74• As a child, practiced secretly on a clavichord at the top of his house while the family

slept• He studied law as a young man but worked as an organist and violinist• Moved to England in 1712 and worked during the reign of King George II. Became a

citizen of England and lived there the rest of his life – buried at Westminster Abbey• Well liked by fellow composers. Bach, Mozart and Beethoven all expressed great

admiration for his music• Messiah written for charity event to raise money for a hospital• Well received at its first performance in Dublin, Ireland in 1741• It is said that King George II was so inspired with the sounds of “The Hallelujah

Chorus” that he stood up to show his approval. Now everyone stands when it is played in public

• Soprano – highest woman’s or children’s voices• Alto – lowest woman’s or children’s voices• Tenor – highest men’s voices• Bass – lowest men’s voices• Chorus – group of singers• “And He shall reign forever” is first sung by bass section• Performed by choir and orchestra

Tchaikovsky






• Tchaikovsky was born in Russia in 1840 – died in 1893 at age of 53• Learned to speak German and French by the time he was 6 and started

piano lessons at age 7• Always shy and had low self-esteem; imaginative and inventive but also

sought approval from friends and audiences• Traveled widely during his life and was first Russian composer whose music

became standard repertoire in Western Europe. He traveled to conduct in the United States in 1891.

• The Nutcracker is a ballet – story told through dance and music; depicts children playing at a holiday party in Romantic Period Russia

• ABA form – each A section also has a small aba section within it• In B section, strings and woodwinds play mostly sixteenth notes, which

gives it the feeling of excitement or scurrying around• Cymbals can be heard during the A section, but that is the only percussion

instrument in the piece• D. C. al fine – return to the beginning of the piece and stop at the fine• Instrument families – brass, percussion, strings, woodwinds

Wagner

Die Walküre: “Ride of the Valkyries

Ruins of Athens: “Turkish March”

The Planets: “Mars” Mazurcas: No 23 in a minor


• Wagner was born in Germany in 1813 – died in 1883 at the age of 70• Wrote world’s longest opera (The Ring Cycle) which is actually four separate operas

performed together in just over 18 hours• Unlike most opera composers, Wagner wrote both the music and lyrics – most

composers collaborate with a libretist• Had his own opera house built where he premiered many operas. Nothing but

Wagnerian operas are performed there still today• His music was considered very inventive and modern; over 10,000 books and articles

are written about Wagner• The story is based on Norse mythology• “Ride of the Valkyries” is well known and has been used in television, movies and,

yes, even cartoons• Wagner uses leitmotif’s: brief melodies or themes to represent different characters,

objects, places or ideas• This is performed by orchestra and soprano singers. The A theme represents the

horses going up the mountain. The B theme is the call of the Valkyries• A Valkyrie, from Norse mythology, is a mythical woman warrior, whose job is to lead

fallen heroes, if they are worthy, to Valhalla (a sort of paradise for warriors)

Mozart

The Planets: “Mars” Symphony No. 40: Movement 1



Symphony No. 40: Movement 1• Mozart was born in Austria in 1756 – died in 1791 at the age of 35 – composer during

the Classical Period• Learned to play violin and harpsichord at the age of 3 – began composing at the age

of 5 – began touring and giving concerts across Europe at the age of 7 with his father and sister

• Wrote numerous operas, symphonies, concertos, chamber works and keyboard pieces – many are still performed regularly today

• Earned a lot of many from composing but when he died at the age of 35, he was in debt

• 40th Symphony was written during the summer months of 1788 – he was in debt and his baby daughter had just died

• Tragic emotions may have been associated with the key of g minor, yet most do not associate this symphony with tragedy

• Sonata form – classical organization of symphony’s movement: Exposition, Development and Recapitulation

• Sequence – when melodic pattern is repeated higher or lower• Cadence – when music comes to a resting point or stop• Mozart wrote 41 numbered symphonies

Sousa





“Washington Post March”• Sousa was born in Washington, D.C. in 1854 – died in 1932 at the age of 78 during

Contemporary Period• Learned to play cornet and trombone as a child• Father played trombone in the Marine Band; followed in father’s footsteps and also

played in the Marine Band• Composed 136 marches during his life, earning the title of “March King”• Also wrote operettas and musicals but best known for his marches• Invented Sousaphone, type of tuba used in marching bands• “Washington Post March” was written in 1889 at the request of the owners of The

Washington Post newspaper, to be performed at an award ceremony for an essay contest

• Title “March King” was first used after this composition• Original recording was made in 1890 on a phonograph – reissued in 1999 on CD• Use of 6/8 meter made this March suitable for the two-step, a new dance during this

time period• Countermelody – second, different melody that is played along with the main melody• Trumpet is featured instrument in this piece• Melodic direction – melody moving up, down or staying the same

F. Mendelssohn






• Fanny Mendelssohn was born in Hamburg, Germany in 1805 – died in 1847 at the age of 42 – lived during Romantic Period

• She and her brother, Felix, were both very musically gifted and began composing at a very young age

• Fanny’s music remained almost unknown until recently – women composers were not taken seriously during the Romantic period

• She died at the age of 42 from a stroke – her best friend and brother, Felix, died soon after

• Das Jahr (The Year) was written as an artistic collaboration with her husband, artist Wilhelm Hensel

• Inspiration for each selection drawn from a one year trip taken to Italy• As a gift, she wrote each piece on colored paper and decorated it with

drawings by Hensel; each piece also accompanied with a poem• Completed work given to Hensel as a Christmas present that same year• Solo – musical performance by one individual• Piano is featured instrument in this piece

Bizet





Carmen: “Toreador Song”• Bizet was born in Paris, France on October 25, 1838 (Romantic Period) – died in 1875

at the age of 37• Entered Paris Conservatory of Music before 10th birthday• Studied in Rome for 3 years after winning a composition contest• Best known for Carmen and for L’arlesienne Suite which was written for a play• Died soon after Carmen was first produced and never knew how popular it would

become• Story of Carmen was considered very controversial at the time• Based on a novella by Merimee; dialogue is often spoken rather than sung• In the Introduction, orchestra plays the melody that the Baritone, Escamillo will sing • “Toreador Song” is heard in Act 2 as Escamillo brags in front of the people gathered at

the inn• “Votre toast, je peux vous le rendre” is the official title used in the score• Baritone – man’s medium voice• Aria – solo song in an opera• Opera – music drama combining vocal and instrumental music, acting, scenery,

costumes and sometimes dance to tell a story• Carmen is 4th most performed opera in North America• Violin is heard during introduction and coda• Coda is heard at the end• The introduction and the first ending are NOT heard the second time

Beethoven






• Beethoven was born in Germany in 1770 – died in 1827 at the age of 57• His compositions created a bridge from Classical Period into the Romantic Period• Father taught him piano lessons at age 4; hoping to study with Mozart but had to take

care of his family• Had great musical talent but his moodiness made it hard for people to stay friends with

him• Began losing his hearing in his late 20’s; went completely deaf but continued

composing• Mozart’s Requiem was sung at his funeral• This piece was written for the play “Ruins of Athens” in 1811• Written to imitate sound of Turkish military marching band,, a Mehteran• The Mehteran was used by the king to give courage to his soldiers and scare the

enemy• Instruments in a mehteran were drums, bells, triangles, cymbals, oboes and trumpets• Beethoven chose dynamics to make the music sound as if the “marchers” were

approaching, passing by and then disappearing into the distance• Accent – tone that is played louder or with more emphasis than others surrounding it• Dynamics – how loud or soft the sound is• Selection begins piano (p) – soft• “B” theme is heard twice• Mood of this piece could be described as steady and lively

Brahms






• Brahms was born in Hamburg, Germany on May 7, 1833 during the Romantic Period. He died in 1897 at the age of 64

• His father was a double bass player for the Hamburg Theater and taught his son to play the violin and cello. His favorite instrument was the piano

• He learned Hungarian folk music through his friendship with Hungarian violinist, Remenyi• Moved to Vienna, Austria in 1863 where he remained for the rest of his life, teaching and

conducting as well as composing• Brahms is one of the “three B’s of composers”: Bach, Beethoven and Brahms, who each

composed musical models other composers prized• Hungarian Dance No. 5 uses themes from Hungarian gypsy dance music. It is high-spirited, witty

and full of humor• First published scored for piano duet in 1869, as one of 21 Hungarian dances• Brahms later arranged many of his Hungarian Dances for orchestra, including No. 5• One of the dances, performed on the piano by Brahms, was recorded by a representative of

Thomas Edison• Allegro – fast• Vivace – very fast• Adagio – slowly• Marcato – stressed, weighty accents• a tempo – return to the original tempo• Music in this piece is reminiscent of gypsy music performed for dancing in the camps• D.C. al fine means return to the beginning and end at the fine

Prokofiev





Symphony No. 1: Finale• Prokofiev was born in Russia in 1891 – died in 1953 at the age of 62• One of the most recognized composers of Contemporary period• Mother played piano; he wrote first piano piece at 5; learned to play chess at 7 and eventually beat

world chess champions• Entered St. Petersburg Conservatory of Music at 13, where he studied with Rimsky-Korsakov, a

master of orchestration• He lived in America, France and England when artistic freedom was stifled in Russia and returned

to Russia when a more tolerant attitude took hold• He was a brilliant pianist but remembered more as a composer• Symphony No. 1 is often called the “Classical Symphony”• Actually neo-classical with strict classical form, but with imaginative harmony and orchestration of

Contemporary Period• Prokofiev was 25 when he wrote this piece – he was on vacation and didn’t even have a piano• Written for a very small orchestra with interesting instrument combinations• Finale is the last movement in the 4 movement symphony; fast and playful music• Sonata form – exposition, development, recapitulation• Accent – (<) louder or stronger emphasis on a specific note• Pizzicato – plucking the strings rather than playing with a bow• Prokofiev also wrote “Peter and the Wolf”• Flute, violin and clarinet are featured in this selection• The mood of this selection is cheerful• Recapitulation means bringing back themes from the beginning

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MUSIC MEMORY GAME