Classical Music in Pictures Music in Pictures    

Lesson 18: Preludes, Op. 28 - No. 6 'Tolling Bells'

by Frédéric Chopin

Performer: Ivan Ilic

Directions

Study the musical selection for one week.

Over the week:

• Each day, listen to the musical selection.
• Read the synopsis.
• Review the vocabulary terms.
• Read about the composer and practice reciting his or her name and the composition title.
• Complete the enrichment activities.
• Study the review questions.

Synopsis

Written between 1835 and 1839, Chopin's 24 Preludes, Op. 28, are a set of short piano compositions. Preludes are short musical pieces that often introduce more complex pieces. When Chopin wrote the Preludes, which are stand-alone versus introducing other pieces, critics criticized them for being too short and lacking structure. Like 'Suffocation,' the prelude, 'Tolling Bells,' was played at Chopin's funeral, which may be the source of the name. A single bell toll is sometimes sounded in remembrance of a person who has passed away.

Vocabulary

Prelude: Short musical pieces that often introduce more complex pieces, although Chopin's preludes stand alone.
Toll: The ringing of a bell to mark the time, a service, or a person's death.
Bell: A hollow object, typically made of metal and having the shape of a deep inverted cup widening at the lip, that sounds a clear musical note when struck, typically by means of a clapper inside.
Remembrance: The action of remembering something.
Foundry: A workshop or factory for casting metal.

Composer

1. Frédéric Chopin was born in 1810 near Warsaw, Poland. See his picture below.

2. Zoom in and find Chopin's country of birth on the map of Europe below.

3. Chopin started piano lessons at an early age. It quickly became obvious that he was a child prodigy. By the time he was seven, Chopin gave concerts and wrote his first two piano compositions.
4. In his early thirties, Chopin suffered from serious health problems. He died of an unknown illness in 1849 at the age of 39.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Describe the Music

Listen to the music, and close your eyes and let yourself imagine. What do you picture as you listen to the music?

After listening to the music, describe and discuss what you heard.

As you listen to the piece, can you hear the regular, rhythmic tolling of a bell?

Read the list of adjectives. Select those that describe the music or think up additional adjectives.

• Cheerful
• Mournful
• Soft
• Noisy
• Vivacious
• Soothing
• Eerie
• Threatening
• Surreal
• Whimsical
• Rhythmic
• Grand

Activity 2: Study the Painting, Jean Leon Gerome Ferris' 'The Bell's First Note'

As you listen to the music, find the following in the painting:

• Bell
• Walking Stick
• Hammer
• Wig
• Fire
• Foundry
• Bow
• Hat
• Work Apron
• Dress

After you study the painting, narrate the scene shown in the painting aloud using your own words.

Describe how the painting relates to the music.

Activity 3: Read About the Painting, Jean Leon Gerome Ferris' 'The Bell's First Note'

This painting shows the Liberty Bell, a symbol of American freedom, about to be rung for the first time by a lady holding a hammer. Next to her stands a founder, one of the men who cast the bell. Men in powdered wigs and suits congregate for the occasion. In the background, additional founders are at work in the fiery foundry. The Liberty Bell may be associated with the signing of the declaration of independence. It is currently located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Review

Question 1

What is the title of the music?

1 / 3

Answer 1

The title is 'Tolling Bells.'

1 / 3

Question 2

Who composed the music?

2 / 3

Answer 2

The composer is Frédéric Chopin.

2 / 3

Question 3

Why might a bell toll a single time?

3 / 3

Answer 3

A bell might toll a single time in remembrance of someone who passed away.

3 / 3

❮ ❯

1. What is the title of the music? The title is 'Tolling Bells.'
2. Who composed the music? The composer is Frédéric Chopin.
3. Why might a bell toll a single time? A bell might toll a single time in remembrance of someone who passed away.

References

'Frédéric Chopin.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

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