A Study Guide for Students and Families |
 P.S. – “arr.” means “arranged by.” To arrange a piece of music means to change how it was originally written by the composer. Debussy wrote this piece for piano, but Arthur Luck rewrote it so the entire orchestra can play! | Your soul is as fair as a moonlit landscape, Masked people, delicate and shadowy Play on lutes and dance, and have an air Of sadness in their fantastic costumes. They play songs in minor keys about Triumphant love, good work, With an air of knowing all is vain, — In the quiet moonlight their songs rise, The sweet and lonely moonlight That makes birds dream in their trees, And in their white stone basins, Tall fountains sob with ecstasy. |
From the Earth to the Moon and Beyond, by James Beckel
Last year, the world celebrated the 50thanniversary of men walking on the Moon for the very first time. On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin made history with the Apollo Moon Landing, and to celebrate fifty years later, composer James Beckel was commissioned to write a piece honoring their accomplishment. A “commissioned” piece is a piece ordered and paid for by another person or organization. In this case, multiple orchestras and individual people paid James Beckel to write this piece. It imagines the “Big Bang” with the help of a narrator. See if you can hear the creation of the universe that develops from a single note to a sudden “bang” from the orchestra.
Last year, the world celebrated the 50thanniversary of men walking on the Moon for the very first time. On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin made history with the Apollo Moon Landing, and to celebrate fifty years later, composer James Beckel was commissioned to write a piece honoring their accomplishment. A “commissioned” piece is a piece ordered and paid for by another person or organization. In this case, multiple orchestras and individual people paid James Beckel to write this piece. It imagines the “Big Bang” with the help of a narrator. See if you can hear the creation of the universe that develops from a single note to a sudden “bang” from the orchestra.
The Planets (excerpts), by Gustav Holst
English composer Gustav Holst demonstrated his interest in astrology* by writing this epic piece about the planets in our solar system. Each planet makes up a different movement of the piece. (Remember how each movement makes up a different part of the story of the whole piece?) Today, you will hear “Mars: Bringer of War,” “Venus: The Bringer of Peace,” “Jupiter: The Bringer of Jollity,” and “Uranus: The Magician.” The planet Mars was named for the Roman God of War. Can you hear how this movement sounds like you’re marching off to war? Venus was named for the Roman Goddess of Love and Beauty. How does this movement sound different from “Mars?” Jupiter was the King of the Roman Gods. For this movement, Holst drew on folk songs from his native England to show joy. Uranus was named for the Greek God of the Sky. Can you hear Uranus casting spells with this music?
English composer Gustav Holst demonstrated his interest in astrology* by writing this epic piece about the planets in our solar system. Each planet makes up a different movement of the piece. (Remember how each movement makes up a different part of the story of the whole piece?) Today, you will hear “Mars: Bringer of War,” “Venus: The Bringer of Peace,” “Jupiter: The Bringer of Jollity,” and “Uranus: The Magician.” The planet Mars was named for the Roman God of War. Can you hear how this movement sounds like you’re marching off to war? Venus was named for the Roman Goddess of Love and Beauty. How does this movement sound different from “Mars?” Jupiter was the King of the Roman Gods. For this movement, Holst drew on folk songs from his native England to show joy. Uranus was named for the Greek God of the Sky. Can you hear Uranus casting spells with this music?
 | *P.S. – Astrology (the study of the planets’ movements and their supposed influence on humans, including zodiac signs and horoscopes), is not to be confused with astronomy, the scientific study of objects and matter outside the earth’s atmosphere. |  |
Star Wars Suite: Main Theme, by John Williams
This is one piece of music you may know, already! In 1977, John Williams wrote this theme for the very first Star Wars film, A New Hope. Over 40 years later, it is still used as the main music in the Star Wars movies made, today! The theme was partially inspired by composer Erich Wolfgang Korngold’s music for the 1942 film Kings Row.
Thank you for your hard work! Studying music takes a lot of patience and focus, but will enhance your listening experience.
We hope you enjoy your trip through the universe with the
Bozeman Symphony!
We hope you enjoy your trip through the universe with the
Bozeman Symphony!
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