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Classical music? It’s great!
Textbook: p. 48
GoalWhat classical music is and how it differs from other genres; people who play instruments; scale of opinion.
New words
orchestra · orkestrviolinist · skripkachicellist · violonchelchipianist · pianinochi
Explanation
Classical music is written by trained composers and noted down, so any trained performer can play the same piece. Pop music is meant to be a quick hit that soon fades; folk music is created by ordinary people and passed on by ear. Famous composers: Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750), Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791), Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827), Pyotr Tchaikovsky (1840–1893). An orchestra is a large group of musicians. Scale of opinion: hate – don’t like – don’t mind – like – really like – love. Examples: I don’t mind classical music. I really like Mozart.
Worked examples
Beethoven was a German composer who kept writing music even when he lost his hearing. Tchaikovsky wrote the ballet “Swan Lake”. A pianist plays the piano, a violinist plays the violin and a cellist plays the cello.
— How do you feel about classical music? — I quite like it. It helps me concentrate. — Have you ever visited a concert hall? — Yes, I have. I felt calm and inspired.
Class activity
“Music poll”: circulate with three questions (Do you like classical music? Have you ever visited a concert hall? How did you feel?) and mark answers on the scale.
Practice
1
Who plays the violin?
A violinist
2
In which years did Bach live?
1685–1750
3
The strongest positive word on the scale:
love
4
Why is classical music written down in notes?
So that any trained performer can play the same piece.