Magical Mozart

Once upon a time in far away land known as Austria,

there once lived a boy, who at the age of 3, listened and watched as his older sister played on the Clavier (similiar to the piano). One day to the amazement of his father, he sat down and could play it perfectly. No instruction had ever been given!

He composed his first piece of music and also played for Kings and Queens at the age of 5. His music was published by age 7. He was a child prodigy! A child prodigy means that he was a genius at a very young age. He was a genius at music. This gift is rare and not even Ludwig Van Beethoven could do what this composer could do at a very young age. By the time he was age 14 he wrote over 100 compositions including: symphonies, concertos (you say “con-chair-toes”), and operas. Between the age of 14 – 18 he wrote 27 symphonies. A symphony is a long and complex piece for several different instruments. He only lived 35 years but wrote over 600 works of music.  That is over 200 hours of music.  If you listened all day and all night every day without stopping it would take over 8 days to listen to all of it!  This man’s name was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. We will just call him Wolfgang for short. Listen to how to say his name below. In German, the W is a “vvvvv” sound.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qRWaRMhb_4

AUSTRIA – JANUARY 01: Leopold Mozart with his children Wolfgang and Nannerl at the piano, the portrait of their deceased mother on the wall. Oil on Canvas by Johann Nepomuk Della Croce, around 1780.

In the picture above you can see Wolfgang (about age 14) dressed in red with his sister Maria Anna, (nicknamed “Nannerl”) sitting at the piano. Their father, Leopold Mozart, is holding a violin. Leopold was a fantastic teacher of music and he taught both Wolfgang and Nannerl how to play the piano and the violin. Before the piano, there was a similar instrument called the “harpsichord” and also there was the “clavier” that they learned how to play first. Like Wolfgang, Nannerl was also very gifted at music and known as one of the best pianists of her time. She performed and toured around Europe with her brother Wolfgang. But, it was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart who became a famous composer and his music is incredible! Let’s learn some more about him. If are learning how to read, this first video may help. Try to read along at the end of the video.

Ok, now for a really fun story. Let’s get transported back to the time of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) in the story below and also hear his amazing music! It’s great to listen to over lunch or dinner or on a longer car ride. The story starts with some kids who are participating in one of Wolfgang Mozart’s operas. We then meet Wolfgang who is writing a letter to his wife Constanza about their son, Karl. Karl has been making all kinds of trouble. Karl and the kids go back in time to when Wolfgang was a child. We also meet Leopold who was Wolfgang’s father.

Bonus. If you liked the story above, a lot of kids like this one even better. If you want another bonus, listen to: “Mozart’s Magic Fantasy“

Mozart Top 10

Below are 10 pieces of music that Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart wrote. These are among his most famous that people still love and listen to today. Please write down your top three favorites from the list of 10 below with number one being your top choice. I would recommend listening to all of them once first before you decide. Then repeat and decide your top 3. Have your mom or dad text your list to me (801 702 0075). I will announce the “winning” pieces in class. Get familiar with these by sound and memorize the title of the music. Get to know at least the first few minutes of each. We will play games using these pieces in class! In summary, the goal is to hear the piece of music and then know the title just by hearing the first few minutes.

1. Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (“A Little Night Music”)
2. The Magic Flute: “Priests’ March” (This piece reminds me of a well known primary song. Can you hear it hidden in the very first part?)
3. Variations on Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star (Mozart did not compose the tune to “Twinkle, Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” but he took the tune that he heard and then created all those fun variations you hear.)
4. The Magic Flute: Papageno and Papagena Duet
5. Clarinet Concerto, 2nd movement (you say concerto, “con chair toe”). A concerto usually has the orchestra and one instrument that is in the spot light. In this piece it is the clarinet of course. Concertos and symphonies have different sections called “movements.” The second movement is usually slower.
6. Rondo in D Major. Rondo means a “round” so it has a melody that keeps coming back. If we call the opening tune “A,” then it might look like this: A B A C A Do you hear the opening tune keep returning?
7. Horn Concerto No. 4, 3rd movement
8. Piano Sonata in C Major K 330
9. Piano Sonata in C Major K 545 (this is K 545)
10. Flute Quartet in D Major, K 285, 3rd movement (to get to the 3rd movement, scroll over to the 9:44 mark). This is the best version I found, so we need to scroll 🙂 Quartet means 4 instruments. Can you name all 4 instruments?
11. Bonus: Scroll to the 7:05 mark which is the 2nd movement in the Flute Quartet above. Do you remember the part of the story in which this music is heard?

Here is the complete playlist in order for you convenience: Full Playlist You will need to scroll on the Flute Quartet still though.

Create a fun game. See Homework below.

Homework:

1. Know how to say Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
2. Watch the videos above
3. Listen to the audio book “Mozart’s Magnificent Voyage”
4. Get to know and listen to all 10 of Mozart’s pieces above and write down your top 3 favorites. Number 1 is your favorite, number 2 is second place, etc. Text the list to me 801 702 0075.
5. Optional: 2 Bonuses
6. As always if you wish, prepare and perform any music in class
7. Create a fun game using either what you learned about Mozart’s life or make up a game that uses any of the 10 pieces above. Try to make the game so it only lasts about 10 minutes. Bring your game to class for us to play! Type your name and the title of your game in the comment section on this blog. Try to create a game that has not already been chosen, or consider how it will be different if somebody else is choosing that game. Here are a few ideas if you need help”

*Jeopardy using what you learned about Mozart or use his music

*Trivia game about interesting facts about Mozart

*Musical Chairs using the music

*Guess it First: Start the music (I can do it) and see who can guesses it the fastest

Feel free to include prizes for winners if you wish. I can’t wait to play your games!