For a program about tone color, one would expect to see many different instruments on stage. But with just a small string orchestra and the music of Antonio Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons”, Monique Mead shows that there are enough sound effects and colors to fill not only an entire program but many, many canvases as well.

Evidence of children’s creative efforts with Vivaldi’s music is seen when their pictures depicting one of the “Seasons” are projected onto a large screen behind the orchestra.

Painting to music is exciting, but does it also work the other way around? Can you create music that describes a painting? One school class has invented just such a piece called “Summer”, and performs it with the help of the orchestra. Twittering birds, glaring sun, crashing surf, and roller coasters can all be heard in this lively piece.
 

The composer Modest Mussorgsky made a similar attempt with his “Pictures at an Exhibition.” A talented young pianist brilliantly performs two movements of this famous work.

A professional painter then enters the stage with a large canvas. She shows how “warm“ and „cold“ sounds from Vivaldi’s „Four Seasons“ translate into warm reds or cool blues on the canvas. She invites children to help her match the right colors to the music.

Then it is the painter’s turn to shine as she paints live to the colorful music of Bela Bartok’s “Rumanian Folk Dances.” This is a lively and “colorful” program is ideal for elementary school children and families.

Repertoire

Antonio Vivaldi: excerpts from „The Four Seasons“
Children’s composition: Summertime
Bela Bartok: Rumanian Folk Dances
Modest Mussorgsky: from “Pictures at an Exhibition” for solo piano

Instrumentation

String orchestra and cembalo

Special Guests

professional painter

Interactive Elements

• Draw pictures to Vivaldi’s music (ahead of time) which are projected onto large screen at the concert.
• Create different sound colors with instruments on stage.
• Match “warm“ or „cold“ colors to the music.
• Act out elements of Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons”

For questions regarding teaching materials or repertoire for smaller ensembles please contact us at info@klassik-for-kids.de