Enso String Quartet
Goals
- Experience a piece of classical music performed in a historic location
- Deepen the experience through movement, reflection, and art-making
- Explore the themes of tempo and contrast
Scroll down for a video and corresponding activities. You can replay the link for reference as you experience the activities below.
Performance Video
In this video, Enso String Quartet performs Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 10 at the historic Trinity Church in downtown Manhattan. This is the third movement, and it’s called a scherzo which means the “fast, fleet”. The Enso String Quartet is a US based string quartet who have been playing together since 1999. They have received many awards and accolades including a Grammy nomination for “Best Chamber Music Performance.
Warm Up
Photo Credit: Kevin Yatarola
Before listening to the music, get in touch with your own tempo.
Take a deep breath in for two counts and out for two counts. Take a deep breath in for four counts and out for four counts. Speed these breaths up, then slow them down.
Continue breathing as you stretch your arms above your head, bring your arms back down. Bring your arms back down. Repeat. Speed these arm movements up, then slow them down.
Allow this gentle stretch to move into your hips. Move your hips to the left. Then to the right.
Continue to breathe as you wiggle the toes of your left foot, then your right foot. Let the balls of your feet rise and fall to create a march. Allow your march to begin slowly before it speeds up.
Take a deep breath in for two counts and out for two counts. Take a deep breath in for four counts and out for four counts. Return to your natural breathing.
Which tempo do you prefer? Faster or slower? Why?
Reflection / Discussion
1. What do you notice about the musicians?
What instruments stand out to you? Why?
How do the musicians play and move? Are they playing and moving in sync or differently from each other?
What do you notice about their varied facial expressions?
What are they wearing? What might this tell us about them or the performance?
2. What do you notice about the setting?
How would you describe the setting, Trinity Church?
Do you think that the music matches the setting? Why or why not?
3. How would you describe the music?
If the music was a color, what color would it be?
How would you describe the tempo?
How would you describe the mood?
How does the music make you feel?
Activity Video
This video will take you through the art-making activity with a facilitator. You can choose to watch the video and do the activity along with it. Or, you can read the activity and participate by scrolling down.
Art-Making
Supplies: Paper and Writing Utensils
(4 different colors)
(4 different colors)
Inspired by the exciting, contrasting tempos of Beethoven’s song and the speed of the Enso String Quartet, let’s create a Presto Picture!
For this activity, we will explore four different tempos:
- Largo - slow tempo
- Adante - medium tempo
- Allegro - fast tempo
- Presto very fast tempo
- Choose your drawing tools: 4 different colors (i.e. colored pencils, crayons, or markers.
- Assign each color to a tempo
Example:
- I assigned largo (slow) as red
- I assigned adante (medium) as blue
- I assigned allegro (fast) as green
- I assigned presto (very fast) as purple
- Listen to the music and notice the change in tempo. As you listen, make marks on your blank paper with the color of the tempo you hear.
- Make your Presto Picture unique! You can layer your colors and vary the shape and size of your marks.
Optional Extension Activity
Create a Duet, Trio, or Quartet Presto Picture.
Complete the Presto Picture activity, but instead of working only on your own Presto Picture, swap your picture with a partner(s).
Explore More
Extension Questions:
Do you have a favorite classical composer? Why are they your favorite?
How do you feel when you hear classical music?
If you could ask the Enso String Quartet to perform this song again, where would you ask them to perform Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 10? Why?
Additional Links:
To learn more about the Enso String Quartet, click here.
To learn more about Trinity Church, the historic church in downtown Manhattan, click here.
To watch more videos from Lincoln Center at Home clips, click here.
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Tell us what you think! Email us at access@lincolncenter.org to share your thoughts on the activities and website.
Post photos of your art projects using the hashtag #LincolnCenterAtHome.
