Unit 7 – History
The main objective of introducing children to Baroque music is to give them a taste of the masterpieces of European 17th and 18th century music. During this time many aspects of Western music, such as notation and orchestral format, started to reach some form of standardization. It is therefore important that students understand some of the key features of this period.
Children will be introduced to the sound of Baroque music starting with dances and some chamber works. They will be made aware of the instruments used, their timbres and how some of them can be said to be the predecessors of modern instruments. Children will be exposed to other forms of Baroque music such as the Oratorio and Opera, through the works of important composers such as Bach, Handel, Vivaldi and Purcell.
Through the use of IT, children are encouraged to research topics of interest to this period. School or class visits to concerts and Baroque places of interest such as the Manoel Theatre are strongly encouraged.
Activity 1 – The Baroque Period
Students will be introduced to music of the Baroque period, through an understanding of the style, the instruments of the period and the sound they produce. Students will listen to and observe some Baroque dances of the period, namely the allemande, courante, sarabande and gigue. They will listen to excerpts of some popular works by famous Baroque composers.
Explore themes on the following:
Instruments:
organ, harpsichord, clavichord, recorder, viols, rackett, baroque oboe and flute, serpent, viola d’amore, lute, hurdy-gurdy.
Composers:
Johann Sebastian Bach
George Frideric Handel
Claudio Monteverdi
Henry Purcell
Johann Pachelbel
Domenico Scarlatti
Georg Philip Telemann
Antonio Vivaldi
Repertoire:
Brandenburg Concertos (Johann Sebastian Bach)
Toccata and Fugue in D minor (Johann Sebastian Bach)
Messiah (George Frideric Handel)
Music for the Royal Fireworks (George Frideric Handel)
Canon in D major (Johann Pachelbel)
The Fairy Queen (Henry Purcell)
Four Seasons (Antonio Vivaldi)
It is suggested that the teacher focuses on just one composer during the lesson. During each activity the teacher will display a portrait featuring the composer and give some basic information about him/her life and major works. Video excerpts featuring the suggested repertoire will be shown to the children.
Activity 2 – The Baroque Composers
The teacher will start the lesson by revising the Baroque composers carried out in the previous activity. The portait of each composer is to be displayed whilst playing short excerpts by the composer.
Below you can find ideas on how to develop this activity:
- A student will pick up a flashcard bearing the name of a composer. Another student will find the correct portrait featuring the selected composer. This activity can be carried out in groups or individually.
- Portraits of the composers will be featured in a random order. The children have to identify their name and write it down. Answers will be revealed at the end of the activity. It is suggested that this activity is carried out individually.
- The teacher plays a short excerpt composed by one of these composers without giving any clues. The children have to identify the composer and write it down. This activity can be carried out in groups so that the children can consult between themselves. Answers can be revealed after each excerpt or at the end of the activity.
- This activity can be carried out in the school yard. The chilren are distributed into 2 to 4 groups and gather at one end of the yard. Flashcards bearing the name of composers and their portraits are placed at the other end. The teacher plays an excerpt or gives some hints on the composer (without mentioning the name). The children discuss between themselves and when ready one child from each group will run to pick up the correct flashcard and portrait displaying the correct composer. Each child who picks up the correct flashcard or portrait will get 1 point. The group gets an extra point in case the same child picks up correct flashcard and portrait.
Activity 3 – The Classical Period
Students will be introduced to the classical period, listening to works of Mozart, Haydn and early Beethoven. The will be guided to listen to the style and orchestration of the works, as well as to the forms music was written into.
Repertoire:
9th Symphony final movement (Ludwig van Beethoven)
Moonlight Sonata (Ludwig van Beethoven)
Children’s Symphony (Franz Joseph Haydn)
Symphony No. 44 1st Movement (Franz Joseph Haydn)
Exultate Jubilate KV165 (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart)
Rondo alla Turca (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart)
Sonata in D minor for Harpsicord (Domenico Scarlatti)
Sonatas for Mandolin and Cembalo (Domenico Scarlatti)
It is suggested that the teacher focuses on just one composer during the lesson. During each activity the teacher will display a portrait featuring the composer and give some basic information about him/her life and major works. Video excerpts featuring the suggested repertoire will be shown to the children.
Activity 4 – The Classical Composers
The teacher will start the lesson by revising the Classical composers carried out in the previous activity. The portait of each composer is to be displayed whilst playing short excerpts by the composer.
Below you can find ideas on how to develop this activity:
- A student will pick up a flashcard bearing the name of a composer. Another student will find the correct portrait featuring the selected composer. This activity can be carried out in groups or individually.
- Portraits of the composers will be featured in a random order. The children have to identify their name and write it down. Answers will be revealed at the end of the activity. It is suggested that this activity is carried out individually.
- The teacher plays a short excerpt composed by one of these composers without giving any clues. The children have to identify the composer and write it down. This activity can be carried out in groups so that the children can consult between themselves. Answers can be revealed after each excerpt or at the end of the activity.
- This activity can be carried out in the school yard. The chilren are distributed into 2 to 4 groups and gather at one end of the yard. Flashcards bearing the name of composers and their portraits are placed at the other end. The teacher plays an excerpt or gives some hints on the composer (without mentioning the name). The children discuss between themselves and when ready one child from each group will run to pick up the correct flashcard and portrait displaying the correct composer. Each child who picks up the correct flashcard or portrait will get 1 point. The group gets an extra point in case the same child picks up correct flashcard and portrait.