Bela Bartok
Born: March 25, 1888
Died: September  26, 1945

Bela Bartok was a famous composer who lived in the 20^th century. He was born in Hungary and was very interested in preserving the folk music of his country. He used some of the sounds and rhythms of Hungarian folk music in his compositions. At first audiences were not sure they liked his music, but later he became very famous. He wrote many works for piano as well as chamber and orchestral music. Try these links to hear some of his famous pieces.

Piano Concerto No. 1, Allegro Moderato, played by Vladimir Ashkenazy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvm6BnH7KMo

Piano Concerto No. 3, 1st movement, played by Martha Argerich:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phN-IOj1XPE

Mikrokosmos pieces #126 and 139:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laWjEjuGCLA

Mikrokosmos #138:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdPsjGdrqbo

Bartok playing his own Suite Op. 14:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0d-ZFSYMFg

Vibraphone

Glockenspiel
 

Listen to the sounds of these mallet percussion instruments.

Marimba:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjG-GPjUmK4&feature=related

Vibraphone:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6Fp4ouNhio&feature=related

Xylophone: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4L94Kw8ZoA&feature=related

Glockenspiel:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfjCxXAx8So

Xylophone

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!

Composing Tips
Before you start writing your contest piece, check out the ideas in the magazine.

See if you can hear Beethoven's famous motive from his Symphony #5:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHAaVVytQF0
 

Matching Game
1. dolce means             a. sweet           b. emotional         c. lively
2. grazioso means         a. singing         b. majestically       c. graceful
3. cantabile means        a. singing         b. majestically       c. lively
4. agitato means           a. emotional     b. excited             c. heavy
5. appassionato means a. emotional     b. majestically       c. heavy
6. pesante means         a. singing          b.lively                 c. heavy
7. morendo means       a. dying away   b. stressed           c. lively
8. spiritosso means      a. sweet            b. stressed           c. lively
9. marcato means        a. emphasized   b. lively                c. singing
10. maestozo means    a. dying away   b. stressed            c. majestically

Canon
Listen to Frere Jacque on recorders:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNtqyyT-DEk