Classical Music for the Seasons Music for the Seasons    

Lesson 12: String Quartet no. 12 in F major 'American'

by Antonín Dvořák

Performer: European Archive

Directions

Study the musical selection for one week.

Over the week:

• Each day, listen to the musical selection.
• Practice reciting the title of the composition and the composer's name.
• Read the synopsis.
• Complete the enrichment activities.
• Study the review questions.

Synopsis

Pumpkin pie, stuffing, green bean casserole, family gatherings, and giving thanks for our blessings, November is a month to appreciate our homes and families and to reflect on all that we have. This week, listen to the final selection that embodies gratefulness for home, health, family, and country. Inspired by a visit to America, Antonín Dvořák created 'String Quartet no. 12 in F major 'American,' Op. 96' based on American landscapes. It reminds us to be thankful for our homelands and the beautiful world we live in.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Describe the Music

After listening to the music, describe and discuss what you heard.

Read the list of adjectives below. Select those that describe the music or think up additional adjectives.

• Happy
• Sad
• Quiet
• Loud
• Fast
• Slow
• Scary
• Dreamy
• Magical
• Rhythmic
• Dignified

Activity 2: Homeland Discussion

Your 'homeland' can be considered the place you consider home. Your homeland might be:

• The place where you were born.
• The place you grew up.
• A place you moved to and embraced as your true home.

Discuss the place that you consider to be your homeland.

Activity 3: Map the Music

• 'American' represents the beauty of American landscapes and gratitude for a homeland.
• Zoom in on the map of the world below. Find America and the place you consider your homeland.

Activity 4: Homeland Sketch

• One day this week, as you listen to the music, color, draw, or sketch your favorite places, people, features, and/or characteristics of your homeland.

Review

Question 1

What is the title of the music?

1 / 4

Answer 1

The title is 'American.'

1 / 4

Question 2

Who composed the music?

2 / 4

Answer 2

The composer is Antonín Dvořák.

2 / 4

Question 3

What is 'American' about?

3 / 4

Answer 3

'American' represents the beauty of American landscapes and gratitude for a homeland.

3 / 4

Question 4

What do you consider to be your homeland?

4 / 4

Answer 4

Answers will vary.

4 / 4

❮ ❯

1. What is the title of the music? The title is 'American.'
2. Who composed the music? The composer is Antonín Dvořák.
3. What is 'American' about? 'American' represents the beauty of American landscapes and gratitude for a homeland.
4. What do you consider to be your homeland? Answers will vary.

References

'String Quartet No. 12 (Dvořák).' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.