February 2010 issue

February Teacher's Corner
Kids' Corner
Past Issues

 

Claude Debussy
Born: August 22, 1862
Died: March 25, 1918

Debussy was an important French composer who wrote some wonderful piano music. He experimented with new ideas and sounds,  and created beautiful pictures with his compositions.

Listen to these great pieces by Debussy:
Clair de lune (listening guide on page 4 of the magazine)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1obAw1fS3o

La Cathedrale engloutie (see page 3 in the issue)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKNmO3GYKj8

Arabesque No. 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2dJtnucKUo

La fille aux cheveux de lin:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MswHKA4dako

L'isle Joyeuse: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mx1M_KjLv1o


 


The Cello

Listen to cellist M. Rostropovich playing one of the most famous cello pieces - Prelude form J. S. Bach's Suite No. 1 in G major: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2DaCdewCic

Famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma has fun on Sesame Street with the Honkers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89sFEuEuTYM


 

French Pianists

Pierre-Laurent Aimard
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iS4kZ1vxuWY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_N_CFKQ-O4A

Jean-Yves Thibaudet

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17O-A_vp-80
Soundtrack to Pride and Prejudice: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OefE1UzOsDc&feature=PlayList&p=99DC6F865B2541A0&index=0&playnext=1

Labeque sisters:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dc9dyUVyQUo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkclwhHT2QU


To learn more about the city of Paris:

Watch images of the city:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPjkqISJXXg

The official website for the city of Paris:
http://www.paris.fr/portail/english/Portal.lut?page_id=8118


 

Pentatonic or Major Scale?
Identify which type of scale fits the description.

1. Has 7 different notes.  answer
2. Has 5 notes.  answer
3. A scale that could be made up of just the black keys. answer
4. A scale that could be made from all of the white keys. answer
5. Used in the music of East Asia. answer
6. Commonly used by Classical composers.  answer



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!

 



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