Listening Lesson: 'Vltava'

SAY. “The composer Bedrich Smetana wrote a piece of music inspired by this river, located in the Czech Republic.”

LISTEN. Listen to "Vltava", also called "The Moldau," by Bedrich Smetana. The pictures in the video are of the Moldau River. Notice how the music changes with the scenery.

ASK. “Did you notice the composer used different combinations of instruments, timbres (or sounds), and techniques? Hearing new combinations of sounds is a little like rounding the river bend in a boat and seeing the scenery change as we cruise down the river.”

LISTEN. Listen again, this time using the listening map below. Follow the timing in the left column together with the description in the right column to think carefully about how the composer painted the river scenery with sound.

REFLECT. “What was your favorite part of the river cruise?”