Overture to

1
Overture to Colas Breugnon
2
Russian Giant Kabalevsky

• Born and composed during the rise of the
  Communist regime in Russia.
• Studied music despite his parents desire for him
  to study mathematics.
• Began composing at the Moscow conservatory.
• Wrote Overture to Colas Breugnon during
  strongest period of composition at the Moscow
  Conservatory.
• Was member of the Communist Party.
• Music was very patriotic and was criticized
  because of that!
• Wrote music for silent films as well.

3
An Enthusiatic Teacher

• Kabalevsky had a great interest in sharing music
  with young people and wrote many instrumental
  pieces and songs for them. This composer
  corresponded with students at 150 high schools,
  giving them advice and help with their musical
  interests.

4
Kabalevskys Correspondence

• A sample letter from Kabalevsky himself which
  translates
• Moscow, 7 June 1967
• Laurie Ann Perschau
• Glencoe, Minn., U.S.A.
• Dear Laurie,
• I received your letter. It is very good that you
  like music
• and are studying the piano. The more you come to
  know
• music the more you will love it and studying
  music will
• become more and more interesting to you.
• I wish you the very best of success!
• D. Kabalevsky

5
Overture to Colas Breugnon

• or, The Craftsmen of the Clamecy

6
Interesting Facts

• Toscanini conducted Colas Breugnon all over the
  world in the 1940s and 50s, making it famous.
• Its music is filled with jazzy syncopation and
  is a five-to-six minute showpiece.
• Kabalevskys most famous piece is The Comedians
• The overture to Colas Breugnon was Kabalevskys
  first opera. It was first performed in
  Leningrad, Russia in February 1938.

7
The Story

• Kabalevskys first opera.
• It was first performed in Leningrad, Russia in
  February 1938.
• Based on a novel by Roman Rolland.
• Takes place in the 1500s.
• Colas Breugnon, a Breton master carpenter who
  defeats a villanous Duke.
• Bubonic plague brought back by soldiersall needs
  to be burned, including all of Breugnons
  statues!

8
Teaching Dynamics

• Using Kabalevskys Overture to Colas Breugnon

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At First Listening.

• Overture It sets mood, introduces themes, preps
  the audience for the upcoming music, and quiets
  the audience.
• Students will understand the main ideas of the
  story will pass by very quickly in this overture.
  
• Discuss about how composers would "borrow" form
  their own music

10
Questions to ask

• When you listen to Kabalevskys Overture to Colas
  Breugnon, listen for all the dynamic changes.
• What do you think the music would be like without
  them? What else makes the music so interesting?
• Why do you think Kabalevsky chose to put so many
  dynamics in the piece?
• Are there any instruments that usually play piano
  (soft) and any that usually play forte (loud)?

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A Quest for Dynamics

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Dynamics Chart
Overture to Colas Breugnon Dmitri Kabalevsky As
you listen to the piece, circle the correct
dynamic marking when the CD is paused.
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Extension of Dynamics Lesson

• Hand out packets of cards with dynamic markings
  on it to groups of students. Have students hold
  up cards when listening to the Overture to Colas
  Breugnon.
• Designate small groups of students as dynamic
  markings and have them stand when they hear their
  dynamic!