Classical Music for the Seasons Music for the Seasons    

Lesson 15: Romanian Christmas Carols

by Béla Bartók

Performer: Papalin

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

This week, you'll continue listening to selections that embody the Christmas season. For those who celebrate Christmas, enjoy this music while baking Christmas cookies, hanging stockings, decorating your tree, or opening presents. Adapted in in 1915, Béla Bartók based his 'Romanian Christmas Carols, Sz. 57' on carols traditionally sung by Romanian village children. The work contains twenty Christmas Carols, played continuously without a break.

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: Caroling Lyrics

Lyrics are words that accompany music.

Famous American carols with lyrics include 'Joy to the World,' 'Jingle Bells,' and 'Deck the Halls.'

As you listen to the music, read the partial listing of lyrics for 'Jingle Bells' below and then color, draw, or sketch a picture based on the lyrics.

• Dashing through the snow
• In a one-horse open sleigh
• Over the fields we go
• Laughing all the way, ha ha ha




• Bells on bob-tail ring
• Making spirits bright
• What fun it is to laugh and sing
• A sleighing song tonight.




• Oh jingle bells, jingle bells
• Jingle all the way,
• Oh what fun it is to ride
• In a one-horse open sleigh, hey!

Activity 3: Carolers Sketch

• One day this week, as you listen to the music, color, draw, or sketch the carolers shown below.

Activity 4: Map the Music

• This composition includes twenty Christmas carols traditionally sung by Romanian village children.
• Zoom in on the map of Europe below, and find Romania.

Review

Question 1

What is the title of the music?

1 / 3

Answer 1

The title is 'Romanian Christmas Carols.'

1 / 3

Question 2

Who composed the music?

2 / 3

Answer 2

The composer is Béla Bartók.

2 / 3

Question 3

What is 'Romanian Christmas Carols' about?

3 / 3

Answer 3

'Romanian Christmas Carols' includes twenty Romanian Christmas carols traditionally sung by village children.

3 / 3

❮ ❯

1. What is the title of the music? The title is 'Romanian Christmas Carols.'
2. Who composed the music? The composer is Béla Bartók.
3. What is 'Romanian Christmas Carols' about? 'Romanian Christmas Carols' includes twenty Romanian Christmas carols traditionally sung by village children.

References

'Romanian Christmas Carols.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.