L'Orage, Op. 109 no.13

Johann Friedrich BurgmüllerJohann Friedrich Burgmuller

When: 1806-1874

Born: Regensburg, Germany

Johann Friedrich Burgmüller was born into a musical family. His father was a composer and musical theatre director and his brother was also a pianist and composer.

He moved to Paris when he was 26 years old and remained there for the rest of his life. He taught piano lessons and earned a reputation as a composer of ballet music. His light style of piano playing made him a very fashionable in Paris salons. He had an amazing ability to improvise memorable melodies, a quality which is reflected in his hundreds of teaching pieces for children.

At the age of 38, Burgmüller pulled away from his public life and focused instead on teaching. At this time, upper class society felt that music was an essential part of one's education. Most wealthy families had pianos in their homes and would host parties where musicians, poets and authors were invited to share their recent works. Burgmuller's pieces were extremely popular for the amateur pianist to enjoy and master.


Musical Map

A storm“L'Orage” is from Burgmüller's 18 Characteristic Studies, Opus 109. Listen to the music and think about what happens during a storm: rain, wind, lightening, thunder, darkness.

This piece divides into a standard ternary form (A B A). When you label the sections, decribe which aspect of the storm is being depicted through the music. Print all of this information on your score.

  1. A (m. 1 - 9) Imagery: ___________________________
  2. B (m. 10 - 17) Imagery in m. 14 - 15: _________________________
  3. A1 (m. 18 - 21)
  4. Coda (m. 22 - end) Imagery: ___________________________

In what key does the piece begin? _________________.

In what key does the piece end? _________________.


Lights, Camera, Action