Peter and the Wolf by 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 friendly bird 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 played pitch - 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