Classical Music for the Seasons Music for the Seasons    

Lesson 18: Etude Op. 25 no. 11 in A minor - 'Winter Wind'

by Frédéric Chopin

Performer: Edward Neeman

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

Bundling up under the covers, making snowmen and snow angels, sledding over the snow, and icicles dangling from gutters, you'll continue to listen to selections that embody the winter season. If you live in a snowy area, play this music, enjoy some hot cocoa, and watch the snow drift down from the sky. Frédéric Chopin composed 'Etude Op. 25 no. 11 in A minor - Winter Wind' in 1836. An 'etude' is defined as: 'a short musical composition, typically for one instrument, designed as an exercise to improve the technique or demonstrate the skill of the player' (Google define). 'Winter Wind' reflects the frigid winds and swirling snowflakes of the winter season.

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: Draw Old Man Wind

• Wind is often portrayed as a cloud with a face or an old man blowing furiously.
• One day this week, as you listen to the music, color, draw, or sketch Old Man Wind blowing the trees and people below.

Review

Question 1

What is the title of the music?

1 / 3

Answer 1

The title is 'Winter Wind.'

1 / 3

Question 2

Who composed the music?

2 / 3

Answer 2

The composer is Frédéric Chopin.

2 / 3

Question 3

What is 'Winter Wind' about?

3 / 3

Answer 3

'Winter Wind' represents the cold, cutting winds of the winter season.

3 / 3

❮ ❯

1. What is the title of the music? The title is 'Winter Wind.'
2. Who composed the music? The composer is Frédéric Chopin.
3. What is 'Winter Wind' about? 'Winter Wind' represents the cold, cutting winds of the winter season.

References

'Étude Op. 25, No. 11 (Chopin).' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.