Johann Strauss Jr.
Pronounced - Yoe-hon Strows
(Jr. is the abbreviation for junior
which means that he had the same
name as his father who is called
Johann Strauss Sr. or senior.)

Johann Strauss Jr.
Born: 1825
Died: 1899

Strauss is famous for writing beautiful waltzes - a dance with three beats in a measure. Listen to some of the examples of his lovely waltzes. As you listen, imagine ladies in long flowing dresses and gentlemen in elegant clothes, dancing around a fancy ball room.

Blue Danube: (Print out a listening guide for this piece: pdf)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHFJWCCsWWQ (with a ballet dance sequence)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZ8WN0KEVoU (just music)

Visit Strauss' hometown Vienna as you listen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4J0MKsG_is
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfKPdkh0Uj0

Saxophones come in seven different sizes. The most common are the alto, tenor, and baritone, which are the three used in jazz and concert bands. Higher-pitched saxophones are the soprano and sopranino, and lower-pitched saxophones are the bass and contrabass.

In this link, you will find all seven sizes plus a soprillo (higher than sopranino).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OewPtiS9oNw

"Moanin'" by Charles Mingus - features a baritone sax at the beginning plus an extended solo at approximately 2:30 minutes in.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__OSyznVDOY

"What Is Hip" by Tower of Power.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3t2g28y7_gM

Celebrate the 200th anniversary of Chopin's birth. Compare the waltzes of Strauss (above) and Chopin:

Chopin, the Grand Waltz, played by E. Kissin:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgXlgicfgzE

Chopin, Waltz in C # minor, Op. 64, No. 2 (played by a student)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58N-EL1e3-I

The Fugue

Bach's Prelude and Fugue in D major from Well Tempered Clavier Book 1 (this is the example on the fugue page in the magazine):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elXJLeOh9VU

Bach Prelude and Fugue in D minor, Well Tempered Clavier Book 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svXoeM_psWg

Baroque Composers
Listen to their music, then take the quiz below.

Corelli: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BR6Swn4TfDs

Albinoni: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mz4dpbk8YBs

Purcell: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WXx5tttwGo

Schutz: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCmoOvtFuds

Couperin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sFyywRq-SE

Rameau: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glm4NuYF-8I

Quiz
Where was each Baroque composer born?

1. Arcangelo Corelli
    a. Italy
    b. Germany
    c. England
    d. France

2. Henry Purcell
    a. Italy
    b. Germany
    c. England
    d. France

3. Heinrich Schutz
    a. Italy
    b. Germany
    c. England
    d. France

4. Francois Couperin
    a. Italy
    b. Germany
    c. England
    d. France

5. Tomas Albinoni
    a. Italy
    b. Germany
    c. England
    d. France

6. Jean-Philippe Rameau
    a. Italy
    b. Germany
    c. England
    d. France

Contest Announcement: Animals

It's time for the annual composition contest! This year's theme is animals. Pick an animal (or animals) and describe it with music. You can write about a pet, an animal you saw at a zoo or in a book, or any creature you are interested in. Before you start composing, think about the animal's personality, look, and behavior. Then use notes and rhythms to show all that in the music.  On the back of the music write a few sentences about which animal you chose and why, and how the music expresses it.
Draw a colorful picture to go with your piece. The best artwork will be featured on the cover!

Rules
1. You MUST subscribe to Piano Explorer. (If you receive your magazine through your teacher - ie your teacher has a group subscription and gives you a magazine each month - you may enter the contest. Be sure to write your teacher's name on the back of your music.)
2. Only solo piano music will be considered.
3. Write your name, age, address, phone number, and teacher's name on the back of the music.
4. All submissions must be postmarked or faxed by the deadline, March 5, 2010.
5. We are not responsible for pieces that are lost or delayed in the mail.
6. All compositions must be written by students. An adult may help write down the notes.
7. Do not quote (copy) other pieces of music in your compositions. We will not be able to print such pieces due to copyright laws.
8. Keep a copy of the music for yourself. We cannot return any submissions.

Send Music to:
Piano Explorer
Composition Contest
200 Northfield Road
Northfield, Illinois 60093

Good Luck!