December History Workshop: December 4-14, 2018

During group lessons these two weeks, we will begin exploring the life and music of Johann Sebastian Bach. 
Each student will be creating a Composer Scrapbook in class to take home at the end of the second class. 

What do you know about Bach? 
​Where was Bach born? 
Why did he have to move at the age of 9-10?
What instruments did he play? 
In the period that he lived in, why did people wear wigs?
What kind of music did he compose? 
How is music in the Baroque period different from that of the Classical period? 

Below are a few selections of Bach's compositions to listen to at home. 
This is homework for all the students but we encourage the parents to listen together or in your own time. Enjoy! 

Some suggestions of how and where you can listen to and engage with the music:
~ listen and move to the music
~ sit down somewhere quiet and focus on listening
~ listen to it on the way to school or work
~ listen to it while you do homework or housework
~ listen to it during breakfast or after school
~ think about or imagine what this music is about
​~ think about or imagine where might this music have been played
Note: Some selections may be longer so you can listen to it while you do something else.
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1) Cello Suite No.1 - Yo Yo Ma

2) Toccata and Fugue in D minor - Hannes Kästner (organ)

3) Cantata BWV 147, Jesus Joy of Man's Desiring (composed in 1723)

4) Violin Sonata No.1 - by Itzhak Perlman

5) Brandenburg Concerto No.5 - Croatian Baroque Ensemble

6) Menuet in G Major - Ton Koopman

7) Little Prelude in  C minor BWV 999 - Konstantin Lifschit

8) Prelude and Fugue in C minor BWV 847 - Nathalie Matthys

9) Magnificat - Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra, Conductor Ton Koopman

10) Two-part invention in D minor (Paco Cánovas - harpsichord)

11) Goldberg Variations (Glenn Gould)