Week 1 - Arthur Rubinstein plays "Piano Concerto No. 2" by Rachmaninoff
Our first musical selection is the third movement of Sergei Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2. This movement is called the "Allegro Scherzando," which refers to the tempo. (Do you know what allegro scherzando means?)
Make sure you have a few minutes to sit and listen without interruption. As you listen to the piece, try to focus all your attention on the music, and make sure there are no distractions around you. To help you focus, here are a few questions with things for you to think about, concentrate on, and try to hear. When you are through, post your answers below in the "Comments" section, or send me an email.
Listening Questions:
Bonus Question:
Can you find some biographical information about Rachmaninoff (the composer), or about Arthur Rubinstein (the pianist)?
Make sure you have a few minutes to sit and listen without interruption. As you listen to the piece, try to focus all your attention on the music, and make sure there are no distractions around you. To help you focus, here are a few questions with things for you to think about, concentrate on, and try to hear. When you are through, post your answers below in the "Comments" section, or send me an email.
Listening Questions:
- Is this piece for solo piano, or do you hear other instruments as well, and if so, what other instruments can you hear?
- Do you recognize this music (is this a new piece to you, is it somewhat familiar, or have you definitely heard this music before)? If you have heard it, do you know where or when you heard it?
- What is the mood or emotion conveyed by this piece of music, and what are the notes and rhythms doing that gives you that impression?
- Can you describe some of the musical things you hear occurring (for example, are there long scale passages, arpeggios, big chords, etc.)?
- As you listen to it, how does this music make you feel? Would you say you like this piece, and why or why not?
Bonus Question:
Can you find some biographical information about Rachmaninoff (the composer), or about Arthur Rubinstein (the pianist)?
posted by Melody at
12:00 PM
4 Comments:
I listened to a piece by tcherkin on you tube and it was very nice . a bit complex but very beautiful
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5aIsJZcC24
By
David R, At
January 14, 2009 7:33 PM
I think I heard a violin. I think in might have heard it before but i'm not sure. It sounded like a bleand of moods one leading to another. It was a veary intereesting pice.
By
Hadley.B January 17,2009 11:21 AM, At
January 17, 2009 11:21 AM
I think there may be a violin, or a wind instrument, like a clarinet or flute, playing with the piano. This piece is entirely new to me. The mood goes in and out of solemn, or a little gloomy, then slightly brighter. It is in a minor key, which gives the music a sadder sound, and there are accidentals which also contributes to the mood. There are long, flowing passages, and arpeggios. The music relaxes me, and makes me feel thoughtful about the sounds. I like this piece, because it goes from sad sounding to more happy sounding, and the pretty sound makes me think of a nice day.
By
Mandy J., At
January 18, 2009 4:33 PM
For this piece, the mood for it was very quick and lively, although the bass tone created by I think violins at one point created a contrast with the more brighter mood that the piano, violins, and possibly wind instruments portray.
By
Hillary Sells, At
January 20, 2009 6:26 PM
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