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Lesson 2

We explore the sounds of nature and of our everyday lives

1
create music
in groups
2
performance
whole class
3
listen to music
whole class

Preparation

Print materials (for the entire series):

Alpine-symphony-printing-material-DINA4.pdf Alpine-symphony-lesson-transparency-DINA4.pdf Alpine-symphony-teaching-series-transparency-DINA3.pdf

Additional materials:

  • Printout M2

Activity 1

Create music
In groups
15 min.
M2 Printout

Pupils are divided into 6 groups.

M2: Nature picture cards (hand out one picture per group)

Teacher:

“In your group, use your voice and body to create sounds representing the natural element depicted on the picture you've been given. You will have to present the sounds you've created to the class later, and make the other groups guess what your natural element is. So it’s very important that you keep your picture hidden from them.”

Activity 2

Performance
Whole class
15 min.
M2 Printout

M2: Nature picture cards (to be displayed around the classroom)

Teacher:

“One at the time, each group will now present the sounds they've created to the rest of the class. After each group presentation, those listening will vote to decide which picture they think the sounds represents."

Teacher:

"Please make sure you remember who was in your group for the next music lesson."

Activity 3

Listen to music
Whole class
15 min.
M2 Printout

M2: Nature picture cards (still on display around the classroom)

Teacher:

“Over centuries, many composers have been inspired by the sounds of nature. Let's have a listen to some pieces of music which depict the similar natural elements to those we tried to represent with our voices and body. Listen to the music and try to figure out which natural element is represented. Once you have an idea, go and stand in front of your chosen picture.”

Birds

S. Prokofiev, Peter and the Wolf, Op. 67A2

Thunderstorm

R. Strauss: Thunderstorm and Tempest, from An Alpine Symphony, Op. 64A3

Alpine Pasture

R. Strauss: On the Alpine Pasture, from An Alpine Symphony, Op. 64A4

Water

B. Smetana: Vltava (the Moldau), from My Fatherland No. 2A5

Falling leaves

A. Vivaldi: Autumn, from the Four Seasons, Op. 8 No. 2, RV 315A6

Bees

N. Korsakov: Flight of the BumblebeeA7

After each musical excerpt, pause and tell students which natural element was actually depicted by the composer in their music.

After playing all the excerpts, the teacher explains:

“One of the composers who wrote music inspired by nature was called Richard Strauss. We will learn more about him and his music in this lesson series.”

If there's still time...

... Different nature picture cards can be given out to each group so that they can come up with new sounds.

Skills learned in this lesson:

Students...

... use their voices and body to depict a range of natural elements.
... listen to pieces of music written by composers who were inspired by the sounds of nature.