Program Description

The Hausmann String Quartet consists of two violinists, one violist, and one cellist. Their program’s aim is to help students better understand the emotional and creative aspects of instrumental music. What is inherent in a piece of music that makes it happy or sad, scary or calming? What does the musician herself bring to this equation? Through the use of musical examples from the string quartet repertoire as well as film and television music, the students will learn how to better understand why a piece of music, whether it be at a concert, on the radio or at the movies, makes them feel a certain way. In consequence, it is the Hausmann Quartet’s hope that the students will leave with a newfound appreciation for instrumental music and an awareness that this type of music can be just as engaging and accessible as other types of music.

List of terms:

String Quartet
Rhythm
Harmony
Melody
Major vs. minor
Motive
Dynamics
Tempo
Staccato
Legato
Timbre

Musical excerpts:

1. Haydn: String Quartet Op. 76 No.5
2. Schumann: String Quartet Op. 41 No.3
3. Shostakovich: String Quartet No. 8
4. Stars Wars - a. Opening theme song , b. Darth Vader theme
5. Jaws
6. Tchaikovsky: Romeo and Juliet

GUIDELINES FOR FOLLOW-UP DISCUSSION

Q: What instruments make up a string quartet?
A: 2 violins, 1 viola and 1 cello

Q: What is the difference between first and second violin?
A: Nothing really! However, they do have different roles. The first violin usually carries the tune while the second violin supports him with harmony.

Q: What are some examples of types of music without words?
A: Classical, Jazz, Tribal, Techno …

Q: In movies, what elements of the music score make it sound scary?
A: Loud abrupt sounds, slow tempos followed by extremely fast tempos, minor keys, use of motives to simulate actions or the villain …

Q: In movies, what elements of the music score make it sound happy?
A: Major keys, fast tempos (like children playing) or slow tempos (like walking calmly through a park), soft timbre instruments …

Q: What two types of keys generally make up all types of music?
A: Major and Minor

Q: Generally, what feelings are normally attached to either Major or Minor keys?
A: Major = happy. Minor = sad.

Q: Can musicians play the same piece of music in different ways to make the audience feel different emotions?
A: Yes. By changing tempos, dynamics, articulation and colour, musicians can change the way something sounds.

Q: Why is Haydn known as “Papa Haydn”?
A: Because he was known as the father of the modern string quartet. He was its pioneer and wrote many of them, more than any other known composer after him.

Q: What country was Shostakovich from?
A: The former Soviet Union, Russia.

Q: What historical events does Shostakovich base his 8th string quartet on?
A: The events of WWII, specifically The Holocaust.

Q: What is the difference between staccato and legato articulations?
A: Staccato means to play notes very short, legato means to play notes very long or smoothly.

Post-Concert Activities

1. Listen to Schumann String Quartet Op. 41 No.3, third movement. What do you imagine the music to be about? Either draw a picture or write a narrative describing what you imagined.

2. Write a review about our program as if you were a newspaper reporter.

3. Compare and contrast a quartet piece with a song/piece with words that you enjoy listening to.

Please mail responses to us at the following address:
International Music Foundation
650 N. Dearborn St., Suite 350
Chicago, IL 60610