Last week we looked at how an image can inspire a composer to write a piece of music.
This week we are listening to a piece by an English Composer called Vaughan Williams. He wrote it in 1914 at the beginning of the first World War. This was a time of great conflict and uncertainty. Even though there were things going on around him he did not like or could control, he could still see the beauty in nature.
The music tells the tale of a skylark singing an impossibly beautiful, almost heavenly, song.
Watch the clip as Molly Rainford introduces Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/ten-pieces/classical-music-vaughan-williams-lark-ascending/znwdbdm
Scottish violinist, Nicola Benedetti is playing the piece. She plays it with such grace and ease, but it is one of the most difficult pieces ever written.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/ten-pieces/classical-music-vaughan-williams-lark-ascending/znwdbdm
Why do you think Vaughan Williams chose a violin to play this piece?
What can you say about the pitch of the violin during the piece and how has he grouped the notes together?
What other instruments of the orchestra can you name?
I love this piece. I hope you do too.
Mrs Campbell
Sciennes Primary Five 