Classical Music for the Seasons Music for the Seasons    

Lesson 20: Winterreise, D. 911, 24 - Der Leiermann

by Franz Schubert

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

Bundling up under the covers, making snowmen and snow angels, sledding over the snow, and icicles dangling from gutters, you'll listen to the final selection that embodies 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. Franz Schubert composed Winterreise, Der Leiermann (Winter Journey, The Organ Grinder) in 1827 based on the poem 'Der Leiermann' (The Organ Grinder or The Hurdy-Gurdy Man) by Wilhelm Müller. See in the enrichment activities section a translation of the poem by Celia Sgroi.

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: Review Facts about Organ Grinders

• An organ grinder is an organ playing street performer.
• Organ grinders play organs small enough to be carried.
• Sometimes organ grinders have performing monkeys.
• See below a picture of an organ grinder with his portable organ and his performing monkey.

Activity 3: Draw an Organ Grinder and His Monkey

• One day this week, as you listen to the music, color, draw, or sketch an organ grinder, his organ, and a monkey.

Activity 4: Listen to the Music, and Read 'The Hurdy-Gurdy Man' Poem

• Over there beyond the village stands an organ-grinder,
• And with numb fingers he plays as best he can.
• Barefoot on the ice, he totters here and there,
• And his little plate is always empty.
• No one listens to him, no one notices him,
• And the dogs growl around the old man.
• And he just lets it happen, as it will,
• Plays, and his hurdy-gurdy is never still.
• Strange old man, shall I go with you?
• Will you play your organ to my songs?

Review

Question 1

What is the title of the music?

1 / 3

Answer 1

The titles are 'Winter Journey' and 'The Organ Grinder.'

1 / 3

Question 2

Who composed the music?

2 / 3

Answer 2

The composer is Franz Schubert.

2 / 3

Question 3

What is 'The Organ Grinder' about?

3 / 3

Answer 3

'The Organ Grinder' is based on a poem by the same name, which tells the story of a poor organ grinder.

3 / 3

❮ ❯

1. What is the title of the music? The titles are 'Winter Journey' and 'The Organ Grinder.'
2. Who composed the music? The composer is Franz Schubert.
3. What is 'The Organ Grinder' about? 'The Organ Grinder' is based on a poem by the same name, which tells the story of a poor organ grinder.

References

'Winterreise.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

'Song cycle translations by Celia Sgroi.' gopera.com. n.p.