Epic Classical Music Part 2

Here’s round two in our Week of Epic Classical Music. (Missed part one? Find it here) 

Today I am highlighting five more exciting works that will rally students for learning. Here they are.

  1. Slavonic Dance in G Minor by Antonin Dvorak. Dvorak was a Czech composer who composed with exotic sounds. Take note especially of how he rhythmically accents parts of the measure that are not on the beat. The rhythmic nature of this piece makes it an excellent way to start the school day.

  2. Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 in C-Sharp Minor by Franz Liszt. In part one, I mentioned how the size of the orchestra was a key to the extensive dynamic range classical music enjoys using. Liszt, however, primarily wrote for the piano. He was one of the greatest pianists of his day and became famous for showing off. He was really a great showman, and so epic classical music can also happen with just one instrument. Many people will remember this piece because there is a Bugs Bunny cartoon set to it. In some ways, the epic nature of this composition reminds me of Eddie VanHalen playing Eruption.

  3. Harry’s Wonderous World by John Williams. It seems every student I know has been inspired by the, “Going Back To School,” themed books and movies, Harry Potter. Most kids will recognize it, so it is worth including on this list.

  4. Symphonic Dances from West Side Story, “Mambo” by Leonard Bernstein. When I first launched this blog, I described how music reflects the culture around it. West Side Story is a musical written in the 1950s and takes place in New York. Leonard Bernstein masterfully combines classical music elements with Latin jazz which was very popular in the 1950s and 60s. This is a dance, so don’t be surprised if your kids stand up and start dancing for this one.

  5. Piano Concerto in F Minor, Movement 3 by George Gershwin. In a similar way to Leonard Bernstein, George Gershwin creates a tapestry of sound that fuses classical and jazz elements together. The result is a fast, uproarious masterpiece that is easy to enjoy and listen to over and over again.

Lastly, as the school year is now underway if you are looking for instruction in piano or guitar M3 Creative Academy is here to help you. We have a virtual music studio, and a unique learning system emphasizes personal interaction with teachers while using technology to your benefit. Many parents think that virtual lessons will not be as effective as in-person instruction, but we have found that students progress just as well or better.

“I thought I would have to sacrifice progress to save on driving time, but that simply has not proven true. We are thrilled with M3 Creative Academy.

- Samantha, mom of 3 students, ages 7, 9, & 11”

Be sure to sign up today!