Embedded Files
NY Phil:
Goals
Goals
- Experience a performance from the New York Philharmonic conducted by Danny Kaye
- Deepen the experience through reflection, movement and improvisation.
- Explore the theme of gesture in physical comedy, conducting, and music.
Scroll down for a video and corresponding activities. You can replay the link for reference as you experience the activities below.
Scroll down for a video and corresponding activities. You can replay the link for reference as you experience the activities below.
Video
Video
Danny Kaye, American actor, singer, dancer, comedian, musician, and philanthropist, leads the New York Philharmonic in the Trepak from Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite.”
Danny Kaye, American actor, singer, dancer, comedian, musician, and philanthropist, leads the New York Philharmonic in the Trepak from Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite.”
This performance was captured by Live From Lincoln Center on September 23, 1981 at Avery Fisher Hall in New York.
This performance was captured by Live From Lincoln Center on September 23, 1981 at Avery Fisher Hall in New York.
Warm Up
Warm Up
Photo Credit: Kevin Yatarola
- 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.
- Listen to the music and move with the changes in tempo. For example, lift your arms up as the music starts and shake your wrists with the beats.
- When the melody repeats, bring your arms down and draw circles with your wrists with the beats.
- You can then lift and drop and rotate your shoulders with the musical phrases.
- Continue to move your body to the music in any ways you like.
Reflection / Discussion
Reflection / Discussion
1. What are three words you can use to describe the performance?
1. What are three words you can use to describe the performance?
2. What surprised you about the performance?
2. What surprised you about the performance?
3. What do you notice about the conductor, Danny Kaye?
3. What do you notice about the conductor, Danny Kaye?
4. How does Danny Kaye use gestures and movement in the performance?
4. How does Danny Kaye use gestures and movement in the performance?
Which is your favorite?
Which is your favorite?
5. How does this compare with other famous conductors you have seen?
5. How does this compare with other famous conductors you have seen?
6. What do you notice about the musicians?
6. What do you notice about the musicians?
How do you think Danny Kaye’s conducting affects their playing?
How do you think Danny Kaye’s conducting affects their playing?
7. Now listen to the music without watching the video
7. Now listen to the music without watching the video
- What else do you notice in the musical performance?
- How does this performance make you feel with your eyes closed instead of watching the orchestra?
Conducting and Improvisation Activity
Conducting and Improvisation Activity
Let’s conduct with Danny Kaye, the quintessential American performer! We will begin by learning a basic, 4/4 conducting pattern.
Let’s conduct with Danny Kaye, the quintessential American performer! We will begin by learning a basic, 4/4 conducting pattern.
Activity Video
Activity Video
This video will take you through the extension activity below 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.
1. Let’s start with bringing your arms up in front in a ready position.
1. Let’s start with bringing your arms up in front in a ready position.
2. Count to 4 in a steady beat.
Now let's add a hand motion to each beat.
Moving your wrist and arm to the beat...
2. Count to 4 in a steady beat.
Now let's add a hand motion to each beat.
Moving your wrist and arm to the beat...
- Move down on 1
- Up and to the left on 2
- Across to the right on the 3
- Up on 4
You can repeat a few times to get used to the motion.
You can repeat a few times to get used to the motion.
3. Widen your movement when you want a louder sound and smaller movement when you want a softer sound.
3. Widen your movement when you want a louder sound and smaller movement when you want a softer sound.
4. Now as you get the basic conducting moves, let’s start conducting to the music.
4. Now as you get the basic conducting moves, let’s start conducting to the music.
5. Conduct to the music with your own expression. There is no right or wrong. Just enjoy the movement.
5. Conduct to the music with your own expression. There is no right or wrong. Just enjoy the movement.
Extension 1:
Let’s try adding some fun in your conducting:
Extension 1:
Let’s try adding some fun in your conducting:
Play the music again and see if you can...
Play the music again and see if you can...
- Conduct with your face only
- Conduct with your shoulders
- Conduct with your body
- Conduct with your feet
Extension 2:
Find your favorite orchestral piece and conduct to the music.
Extension 2:
Find your favorite orchestral piece and conduct to the music.
Be as dramatic as you like! Have fun with it!
Be as dramatic as you like! Have fun with it!
Art-Making
Art-Making
Supplies: Paper and Writing Utensil
Supplies: Paper and Writing Utensil
Now that we’ve practiced our conducting moves, we can add them to paper as patterns.
Now that we’ve practiced our conducting moves, we can add them to paper as patterns.
- Pick your favorite conducting move.
In my example, I chose the 4/4 conducting pattern we practiced in our movement activity.
In my example, I chose the 4/4 conducting pattern we practiced in our movement activity.
- Draw your pattern
You can choose to draw your pattern in any size, or alternate between small and large patterns
You can choose to draw your pattern in any size, or alternate between small and large patterns
- Add new patterns
If you choose, you can add another conducting pattern to your drawing.
If you choose, you can add another conducting pattern to your drawing.
- Decorate
Feel free to add colors and decorations to your pattern, inspired by the performance.
Feel free to add colors and decorations to your pattern, inspired by the performance.
Explore More
Explore More
Extension Questions:
Extension Questions:
- Who is your favorite conductor? What do you like about him/her?
- If you could conduct any performance, what music would you choose?
Additional Links:
Additional Links:
- To learn more about Danny Kaye, click here.
- To learn more about the New York Philharmonic, click here.
Share:
Share:
Tell us what you think! Email us at access@lincolncenter.org to share your thoughts on the activities and website.
Tell us what you think! Email us at access@lincolncenter.org to share your thoughts on the activities and website.
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