Symphony Listening Program - Bartok

What

Symphony Listening Program - Bartok

When

3/26/2025

Audio File
Daily scripts to use with students:
Monday: This week's feature composer is Béla Bartók. The feature composition is the first movement from Three Rondos on Slovak Folk tunes. A rondo is one of the musical designs (or forms) composers use. Bartók created his rondo by composing several contrasting themes (or melodies). Then he arranged them in a special way. He began his rondo with the main theme; then he used one of the contrasting themes. Next, Bartók brought back the main theme followed by a second contrasting theme. He continued this pattern until the end, finishing with the first main theme.

Tuesday: This week's feature composer is Béla Bartók. The feature composition is the first movement from Three Rondos on Slovak Folk tunes. Bartók used the musical design or form called rondo to create a piece that would show off the different effects possible on the piano. In his rondo, he wrote a gentle humming melody for the main theme. Bartók wanted the piano to sound delicate, almost dreamy. It is no surprise to find that Bartók thought of quite contrasting musical ideas for the second and third themes.

Wednesday: This week's feature composer is Béla Bartók. The feature composition is the first movement from Three Rondos on Slovak Folk tunes. For the second theme of his rondo, Bartók wrote a bold, staccato theme with a driving rhythm and a melody full of repeated notes-just the opposite of the dreamy and delicate beginning. Bartók was not only a composer but a skilled pianist. He was very confident about how to use the different effects possible on the piano.

Thursday: This week's feature composer is Béla Bartók. The feature composition is the first movement from Three Rondos on Slovak Folk tunes. Bartók liked the design of the rondo form. He knew he could use the rondo to show off the piano. Bartók composed gentle music for the main theme, the one we hear many times. He wrote bold, staccato music for the second theme. What kind of effect do you think Bartók was trying to achieve with his third theme? What words would you use to describe it?

Friday: This week's feature composition is the first movement from Three Rondos on Slovak Folk tunes. Can you remember the composer's name? (Short pause.) If you are thinking of Béla Bartók, you are correct. Bartók was a Hungarian composer and a fine pianist. He liked the design of the rondo form. Bartók wrote delicate music for his main theme, and then used the contrasting themes to show the other possible sound effects possible on the piano.