Joseph Hadyn's "The Joke" played by the

Orion String Quartet

The theme for this week is: Make Me Laugh!

A joke is something we say or do that makes us laugh. Today we will create a funny story or drawing inspired by the music.

In this video the Orion String Quartet plays music written by Joseph Haydn. This song is nicknamed “The Joke” because of the surprise ending.

Warm-Up Activity

If I want to get right to the joke, I can skip to the end of the video, Part 4 around 15:00. The musicians start and stop playing and I can hear the audience laugh at this joke. I can play the Freeze Dance game along with listening to the music.

When the music STARTS I will...

Green circle with the word "Go" in white in the center

When the music STOPS I will...

Red stop-sign with a white outline and the word "Stop" in white in the middle

Step 1: I will start dancing with the music. When the musicians play fast, I will move quickly. When the musicians play slow, I will move slowly.

Step 2: Each time the musicians stop playing, I will freeze in place and not move.

Step 3: When the musicians start playing again I will start dancing again.

Step 1:
I will watch this video

As I watch, I will notice...

The video is divided into 4 parts. I can see each part divided by a small white dot on the video timebar.

Video still from "Haydn: Quartet in E-flat major for Strings, Hob. III:38, Op. 33, No. 2, “The Joke”" on the bottom time bar four parts are circled in red to delineate each section with timestamps.

In each section I will think of words or create a drawing based on how that part of the music makes me feel.

At the end I will put all the words or drawings together to create my story.

Story Template:

These are the words I will think about during each part of the video.

I can write or draw them to look back at later when I put my story together.

I can also write or draw them during each part of the performance.

Color _______________________________________________

Someone I know ___________________________________

Emotion #1 ________________________________________

Action #1 __________________________________________

Musical Instrument _______________________________

Emotion #2 _______________________________________

Action #2 _________________________________________

Food ______________________________________________

Step 2:
What did I notice?

Part 1:
I. Allegro moderato, cantabile

Four musicians of the Orion String Quartet sit in a semi-circle on stage with music stands in front of them. They are dressed in black suits and each plays a string instrument.

I will write, draw, or circle the [color] that the music reminds me of...

Four blocks of color: blue, red, green, yellow

I will write, draw, or circle the [person I know]
that the music reminds me of...

Two emoji figures standing side-by-side holding hands. One is a light brown color, one is dark brown.

Part 2:
II. Scherzo: Allegro

Close-up of two musicians of the Orion String Quartet on stage with music stands in front of them. They are dressed in black suits and each plays a violin.

I will write, draw, or circle two [emotions] that the music makes me feel...

Six emoji faces with varying emotions: Happy, Sad, Loving, Sleepy, Silly, Surprised

Part 3:
III. Largo sostenuto

I will write, draw, or circle two [actions] that the music makes me want to do...

Five emojis performing a variety of actions: Sports, Swimming, Horseback Riding, Skiing, Bike Riding

Part 4:
IV. Finale: Presto

I will write, draw, or circle a type of [food] that the music makes me want to eat...

Five emojis of different types of food: Avocado, Watermelon, Pretzel, Cupcake, Pizza

I will write, draw, or circle the [musical instrument] that the music makes me want to play...

Five musical instrument emojis: Piano keys, Red drum with yellow geometric pattern, Violin, Saxophone, Red electric guitar.

Step 3: Create my own Story

I will use what I noticed during the video performance to create my own story.

First

I will write or draw my story using the words that I wrote or drew in each of the four parts of the performance.

I can create my own story or use this form to get me started:

Shhh…. don’t tell anyone, I’m planning a surprise party for [ Someone I know ].

When they feel [ emotion #1 ], they turn [ color ]!

They love music so I am going to [ action #1 ] the [ musical instrument ].

Every time I play it makes me feel so [ emotion #2 ].

When all the party guests arrive, I will shout [ action #2 ]!

Finally, we will all eat [ food ] together to celebrate.

Emoji hand raising index and middle finger in the "#2" gesture

Then

I will read or show my story to a family member or friend. I can also act out my story. I will make them laugh!

Last

I can watch the video again and think of different words to create a new story.

Explore More

Extension Questions:

What was your favorite part of the performance?
How did the movements and facial expressions of the musicians change depending on how fast they were playing?

Additional Links:

To learn more about the Orion String Quartet, click here.
For additional videos and information about the performance, click here.
To learn more about Lincoln Center Passport programs, click here.

Tell us what you think! Email us at access@lincolncenter.org to share your thoughts on the activities and website. Post photos of your story or art projects using the hashtag #LincolnCenterAtHome.

Click below for a printable copy of these activities

Lincoln Center - Passport Program - [Haydn Quartet]

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