Activities
1.
a) Listen to the cimbalom or dulcimer played in folk or gypsy bands. What do you think its role is?
b) Zoltán Kodály (1882–1967) uses the cimbalom in his orchestral suite 'Háry János' (also an opera). Listen to a section where the cimbalom can be heard. Can you imagine this played on the piano – how different would the effect be?
c) The zither is used in the film 'The Third Man'. If possible, watch the opening moments of the film and discuss the effect the zither has on the viewer and imagine what the effects would be if the opening piece were played on a piano.
2. Listen to a piece of music played on the harpsichord and compare it to the same piece played on the piano (a good example would be a prelude and fugue from 'The Well-Tempered Clavier' by J.S. Bach). Which do you prefer? Some people prefer to hear music written for the harpsichord played on the harpsichord. What do you think are the advantages of the piano?
3.
a) Listen to a song by Schubert, for example 'Erlkönig' or 'Gretchen am Spinnrade'. Focus on the accompaniments. How do they bring colour to the melodic line?
b) Benjamin Britten (1913–1976) set many traditional folk songs to new piano accompaniments. Listen to at least one song ('The Sally Gardens' or 'Little Sir William' for example). What does he do with the accompaniment?
c) Compose a piano accompaniment for a folk song you are familiar with. Try to incorporate some of the ideas Britten used in his folk song settings.
4. What are enduring qualities of the piano? Why do you think it is still an important instrument for musicians working in all sorts of musical genres at the beginning of the twenty-first century?
