Romanian Folk Dances
Written by: Béla Bartók
Performed by: Tessa Lark (violin) and Yannick Rafalimanana (piano)

Bela Bartok was another composer who travelled, but instead of taking his inspiration from other countries, he chose to study the music of his own. He traveled all around his native country of Hungary and some other places nearby and recorded folk music. These dances are inspired by the ones Bartok heard during his travels. Notice how the violinist uses heavy accents and unique sound effects to try to imitate authentic folk-music sounds.

(Use worksheet 1 & worksheet 2)

Like Bela Bartok, David Fanshawe also liked to study and record traditional folk music. He spent a lot of time traveling in Africa and recording African musicians. When you listen to this piece, you will hear the live musicians as well as taped recordings of African musicians from Fanshawe’s travels. They come together to form a very unique sound. Can you tell which parts are recorded and which parts are live? (Use worksheet 1 & worksheet 2)

Welcome to our Lifelong Listening Center!

With the summer fast-approaching, many of us are starting to think about travel plans. When we travel, we can explore new places and cultures and bring home new perspectives. Composers throughout history have also enjoyed traveling and they used these experiences to create some great music. We will explore some of that music below. Enjoy your travels this summer and happy listening!

Sometimes it isn’t the places you visit but way you get there that makes travel exciting. This piece is supposed to imitate the excitement and speed of traveling fast in some sort of machine. Close your eyes and listen. Does the music make you think of a car or train, or maybe even a rocket ship?
(Use worksheet 1 & worksheet 2)

The Hebrides Overature
Written by: Felix Mendelssohn
Performed by: London Symphony Orchestra

Claude Debussy didn’t have to travel at all to get inspired by other cultures. In 1889, the city of Paris where Debussy lived hosted the World’s Fair, so he got to hear music from all over the world without going anywhere. He was especially inspired by the gamelan music from Indonesia. Gamelan is music played primarily on percussion instruments and it usually has many ringing, bell-like sounds. Do you hear how the pianist uses the damper pedal to imitate those ringing bell sounds?
(Use worksheet 1 & worksheet 2)

African Sanctus
Written by: David Fanshawe
Performed by: Various Hungarian Artists

Felix Mendelssohn spent a year traveling in Scotland and was inspired to write this piece during that trip. The Hebrides are a group of islands off of the Scottish coast. Listen for the lush and mysterious-sounding melodies in the strings. Does this music remind you of the sea or lush, green landscapes? What about legends of the past or adventures?
(Use worksheet 1 & worksheet 2)