Classical Music for the Seasons Music for the Seasons    

Lesson 4: Symphony No. 4 in E Minor, Op. 98

by Johannes Brahms

Performer: Musopen Symphony

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

Cool, crisp days and brightly colored leaves characterize autumn in northern climates. This week features another selection that embodies the fall season. Go outside, play in the leaves, and enjoy the music. Written by the composer Johannes Brahms in 1884, 'Symphony No. 4' kindles recollections of shortening days, cooling air, animals busy preparing for winter, and falling leaves. This piece has four movements: 1) Allegro non troppo (fast, but not too fast), 2) Andante moderato (moderately slow, comfortable and easy), 3) Allegro giocoso (quick and playful), and 4) Allegro energico e passionato (fast with energy and passion).

Enrichment

Activity 1: Discuss how animals prepare in the fall for winter:

Hibernation

• Hibernating animals eat lots of food over the summer and store extra energy as fat for the upcoming winter.
• Hibernating animals retreat to hidden places such as caves, dens, trees, or burrows under the ground.
• Some hibernating animals sleep through the entire winter. Other hibernating animals sleep most of the winter and wake periodically to feed.
• Animals such as bears, snakes, skunks, chipmunks, and some bats hibernate.
• Even insects such as bees hibernate for winter.

Migration

• Many animals in cold climates migrate during the autumn to places where food is more plentiful and the weather is warmer.
• Migrating animals fly, swim, walk, or run to their new homes.
• Migrating animals include geese and other birds, butterflies, whales, bats, elk, and caribou.
• Some insects migrate down into the earth where it does not freeze, such as worms and termites.

Hiding or Storing Food

• Squirrels gather up acorns and other food and bury them or hide them to prepare for winter.
• Other animals, such as mice and beavers also store food for winter.

Adaptation

• Many animals grow thicker fur in the winter to stay warm.
• The fur of some animals, such as rabbits and foxes, turns white to blend in with the snow.

Activity 2: 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 3: Act Out the Fall Season - Hibernate

• One day this week, as you listen to the music, pretend to be an animal preparing for winter.
• First, pretend to be a bear hibernating in a cave.
• Eat a snack to store up fat for the long winter.
• Make a cave out of a blanket and a table, crawl inside, and take a long winter snooze.

Activity 4: Act Out the Fall Season - Migrate

• One day this week, pretend to be a butterfly migrating south for the winter.
• Go outside and feel the cool air.
• Migrate 'south' into your house where it is warm and there is food.

Activity 5: Act Out the Fall Season - Hide Food for Winter

• One day this week, hide some food for the squirrels.
• Find some acorns or get a couple of nuts from home.
• Bury the nuts in your yard or in a nearby park.

Activity 6: Create a Hibernation Picture

• One day this week, as you listen to the music, draw or color a nice, plump bear or other animal hibernating in a cave or den.
• Draw the cold, white, winter snow outside the cave.

Review

Question 1

What is the title of the music?

1 / 6

Answer 1

The title is 'Symphony No. 4.'

1 / 6

Question 2

Who composed the music?

2 / 6

Answer 2

The composer is Johannes Brahms.

2 / 6

Question 3

What is a 'composer?'

3 / 6

Answer 3

A 'composer' is someone who writes music.

3 / 6

Question 4

What is a musical 'composition?'

4 / 6

Answer 4

A 'composition' is a work of music.

4 / 6

Question 5

What does 'Allegro' mean?

5 / 6

Answer 5

'Allegro' means fast or quick.

5 / 6

Question 6

What is a 'Andante' mean?

6 / 6

Answer 6

'Andante' means moderately slow.

6 / 6

❮ ❯

1. What is the title of the music? The title is 'Symphony No. 4.'
2. Who composed the music? The composer is Johannes Brahms.
3. What is a 'composer?' A 'composer' is someone who writes music.
4. What is a musical 'composition?' A 'composition' is a work of music.
5. What does 'Allegro' mean? 'Allegro' means fast or quick.
6. What is a 'Andante' mean? 'Andante' means moderately slow.

References

'Symphony No. 4 (Brahms).' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.