Classical Music for the Seasons Music for the Seasons    

Lesson 25: Preludes, Op. 28 - No. 14 'Stormy Sea'

by Frédéric Chopin

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

Transitioning from winter to spring, uncertain and unstable weather, and feeling invigorated and hopeful, For the next four weeks, you'll listen to selections that embody the turbulence of the transition from winter to spring. Listen to this music from the warmth and comfort of your home as the cold wind blows ice, snow, and/or rain all around you. Written between 1835 and 1839, Chopin's '24 Preludes, Op. 28' are a set of short piano compositions. Preludes are short pieces of music that often serve as introductions to more complex pieces. This piece captures the turbulence of a stormy sea.

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 a Stormy Sea

One day this week, as you listen to the music, draw, color, or paint a stormy sea. Draw the whipping wind, the turbulent gray clouds, and the crashing waves.

Activity 3: Map the Music

• 'Stormy Sea' represents the whipping winds and the crashing waves of a turbulent sea.
• Zoom in on the map of the world below. Point out the areas covered by seas and oceans.

Activity 4: Study the Painting

Examine the painting below while listening to the music.

• Narrate the scene shown in the painting aloud using your own words.
• Describe how the painting relates to the music.

Find the following items in the painting:

• Galilee Lake
• Waves
• Sailboat
• Mast
• Sails
• Flag
• Snapped Rope
• Paddle
• Sailors
• Clouds
• Blue Sky

Review

Question 1

What is the title of the music?

1 / 3

Answer 1

The title is 'Stormy Sea.'

1 / 3

Question 2

Who composed the music?

2 / 3

Answer 2

The composer is Frédéric Chopin.

2 / 3

Question 3

What is 'Stormy Sea' about?

3 / 3

Answer 3

'Stormy Sea' represents the whipping winds and the crashing waves of a turbulent sea.

3 / 3

❮ ❯

1. What is the title of the music? The title is 'Stormy Sea.'
2. Who composed the music? The composer is Frédéric Chopin.
3. What is 'Stormy Sea' about? 'Stormy Sea' represents the whipping winds and the crashing waves of a turbulent sea.

References

'Preludes (Chopin).' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.