Peter and the Wolfby Sergei Prokofiev

Lesson 2 - The story of Peter and the Wolf

EQ: How can music tell a story?

First, let's review the motifs for each of the characters.

As you listen, think of one or two adjectives to describe that

character.

Let's begin!

The Bird

The Duck

The Cat

The Grandfather

The Wolf

Peter

Rifle Shots (Hunters)

After listening and describing the characters, decide which category to place them in:

friendly not friendlybird

duck

cat

grandfather

wolf

peter

hunters

What is it about the music that makes the characters seem friendly or not friendly?

Here's some musical terms to help you explain:

dynamics - how loud or soft the music is playedpitch - how high or low the notes are sounded

(remember, smaller instruments sound higher than larger instruments which sound low)

tempo - how fast or slow the music is played

"Peter and the Wolf" takes place in a meadow, close to where Peter lives with his grandfather.

Let's listen to the story unfold:

Peter in the Meadow

Peter's first friend - who is it?

Peter's second friend - who does this friend talk to?

Peter's third friend - who does this friend chase?

Peter's grandfather tells Peter that the meadow is a dangerous place. Does Peter listen?

Grandfather talks to Peter

What happens to the tempo of Peter's motif after he talks to his grandfather?

The argument is over

Does Peter go back home?

So far, we have met Peter, the bird, the duck, the cat and the grandfather.

Who do you think will appear next?

What other instruments were added to the motif?

Oh no!The wolf has appeared in the meadow!

Who is in danger now?

How can they escape?

Let's listen to what happens next!

The cat and the wolf

How has the tempo changed for the cat?What happens to the pitch of the clarinet?

So, where does the cat escape to?

Who else could also be where the cat is?

The duck and the wolf

How has the tempo changed for the duck?Do you think the duck was able to escape?

The bird and the cat

Is the cat still chasing the bird?Have they returned to their original tempo?

Where is the wolf now?

Peter has been watching everything and wants to help his friends.

He grabs a rope to make a lasso.

What does Peter do next?

What happens to the pitch of Peter's motif?What other instruments play Peter's motif?

Distracting the wolf

Who distracts the wolf so Peter can catch him with the lasso?

Peter catches the wolf but he tries to escape!

Oh no!Who can help Peter?

Do you know?

The hunters approach with their guns

Will Peter let them shoot the wolf?

Peter's suggestion

What could they do with the wolf that wouldn't hurt him?

They take the wolf to the zoo

The finale

What has happened to the tempo of Peter's motif?Is it still played by the string quartet?

Who is following Peter and the wolf to the zoo?

Let's see if you remember the order of events in the story.

Now, it's time to get creative!You will now create or color a mask of one of the characters so we can act out the story!

On the next slide, you will have time to practice your acting for each part of the story your

character appears.Think about how your character would be

moving each time they appear.

Peter in the Meadow

Peter's first friend

Peter's second friend

Peter's third friend

Grandfather talks to Peter

The argument is over

Who will appear next

The cat and the wolf

The duck and the wolf

The bird and the cat

Where is the wolf

What does Peter do next

Distracting the wolf

Peter catches the wolf but he tries to escape

The hunters approach with their guns

Peter's suggestion

They take the wolf to the zoo

The finale

Dress Rehearsal

Time for your final performance!Good luck!

Peter in the Meadow

Peter's first friend

Peter's second friend

Peter's third friend

Grandfather talks to Peter

The argument is over

Who will appear next

The cat and the wolf

The duck and the wolf

The bird and the cat

Where is the wolf

What does Peter do next

Distracting the wolf

Peter catches the wolf but he tries to escape

The hunters approach with their guns

Peter's suggestion

They take the wolf to the zoo

The finale

Now, let's answer the Essential Question:How can music tell a story?

Vancouver Symphony Orchestra plays "Peter and the Wolf'

"Peter and the Wolf" from Disney's Make Music Mine

For your viewing enjoyment:

The End