Classical Music for the Seasons Music for the Seasons    

Lesson 31: Andantino 'Spring', B. 117

by Frédéric Chopin

Performer: Aya Higuchi

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

Birds singing, leaves budding, and baby animals frolicking, you'll continue to listen to selections that embody the bloom of spring. Get outside or throw open some windows. Listen to this music and enjoy the renewing sunshine and refreshing breezes of spring. Frédéric Chopin wrote 'Andantino Spring, B. 117' for piano around 1838. This composition is a little melancholy, reflecting that with change, even one from winter to spring, we may feel regret for what once was. Chopin based this piece on a Polish poem by his friend Stefen Witwicki.

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: Read Select Verses of the Poem

Read a loose translation of Stefen Witwicki's poem (Google Translate). Chopin's composition reflects the feeling of ambivalence over the change to spring expressed in the poem.

• Dewdrops sparkle,
• Hidden in the heather,
• A brook whispers,
• Somewhere a heifer's bell rings.


• A tear escapes my eye,
• The brook mourns with me,
• Somewhere above me,
• The skylark sings for me.

Review

Question 1

What is the title of the music?

1 / 3

Answer 1

The title is 'Spring.'

1 / 3

Question 2

Who composed the music?

2 / 3

Answer 2

The composer is Frédéric Chopin.

2 / 3

Question 3

What is 'Spring' about?

3 / 3

Answer 3

Chopin based the composition on a melancholy poem by Stefen Witwicki.

3 / 3

❮ ❯

1. What is the title of the music? The title is 'Spring.'
2. Who composed the music? The composer is Frédéric Chopin.
3. What is 'Spring' about? Chopin based the composition on a melancholy poem by Stefen Witwicki.

References

'Polish songs (Chopin).' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

'Stefan Witwicki.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.