MUSIC APPRECIATION CLASS Theme: Birthday of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (January 27, 1756) Benefits: Cultural experience; opportunities for social interaction; increase concentration and attention span; enjoyment and relaxation Props to use: Pictures of symphony instruments; picture of Mozart; a map of Austria Equipment: Mozart music; CD player Present a biographical sketch: • Mozart was an Austrian composer, born on January 27, 1756, in Salzburg. He was the sole-surviving son of Leopold and Maria Pertl Mozar. • He is ranked as one of the great geniuses of Western civilization and many music lovers think that he is the finest classical composer who ever lived. • His works combine the beauty of sound with classical grace and technical perfection. • He was educated by his father Leopold Mozart a celebrated violinist, author and composer. • Mozart could play the harpsichord (a keyboard instrument similar to the piano) at age four. His father also taught him to play the violin and organ. • He started composing music at age five. At six, he was giving concerts throughout Europe. • Mozart played the harpsichord, his father played the violin and his older sister sang. • In 1769, Mozart was appointed concertmaster to the archbishop of Salzberg. • Mozart wrote his first opera, Mitridate Re di Ponto, in 1770 when he was only 14 years old. • He married Constanze Weber in 1871. He had first proposed to Constanze’s older sister, who had rejected his suit. • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and his father returned from their last stay in Italy in March, 1773. His father’s benefactor, Archbishop von Schrattenbach had died and was succeeded by Hieronymus von Colleredo. Upon their return, the new archbishop appointed young Mozart as assistant concertmaster with a small salary. • He wrote over 150 orchestral works which included symphonies, serenades and concertos. He also wrote sonatas, string quartets and other chamber music. • Over the years, Mozart aligned himself with a variety of variety of European venues and patrons, composing hundreds of works that included sonatas, symphonies, masses, concertos and operas, marked by vivid emotion and sophisticated textures. • Mozart wrote twenty-two operas. (The Marriage of Figaro; Don Giovanni; The Magic Flute) • He composed masses and other works for the church. • Probably the best-known and best-loved symphony is No. 40 in G-minor. • Mozart died on December 5, 1791 at age 35. The cause of death is uncertain, due to the limits of postmortem diagnosis at the time. Officially, the record lists the cause as severe miliary fever, referring to a skin rash that looks like millet seeds. The most widely accepted hypothesis, however was that Mozart died of acute rheumatic fever, a disease he suffered from repeatedly throughout his life. There were only a few mourners and he was buried in a common grave. Both actions were the Viennese custom at the time, for only aristocrats and nobility enjoyed public mourning and were allowed to be buried in marked graves. However, his memorial services and concerts in Vienna and Prague were well attended. Presentation of music: Play one or two music selections. Select “lighter” classics that will be recognized and are of short duration. Quotes to read and discuss “Neither a lofty degree of intelligence nor imagination nor both together go to the making of genius. Love, love, love, that is the soul of genius.” Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart “The music is not in the notes, but in the silence between. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart I pay no attention whatever to anybodys praise or blame. I simply follow my own feelings.” Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart When I am traveling in a carriage, or walking after a good meal, or during the night when I cannot sleep; it is on such occasions that ideas flow best and most abundantly. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Discussion: Did you enjoy the music by Mozart? Explain. How did you feel when listening to the music? Have you ever been to the symphony? Describe the experience. Who is your favorite classical composer? Did you ever play a musical instrument? Which one? Have you ever been to the opera? Which ones? Are you familiar with any of Mozart’s operas? Refreshments: Serve light refreshments (tea and cookies; or wine and cheese and crackers). Play another Mozart selection as background music. Related activities: Show the 1984 film, “Amadeus.” Play Mozart music during exercise class. Play Mozart music at bedside for relaxation. https://facebook/groups/JoAnneHarrisonBecker/
Posted on: Wed, 31 Dec 2014 15:01:27 +0000
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