You've been introduced to the performing art, that is, Bedrich Smetana's symphonic poem cycle called My Country. In this project, you'll be using the cycle's beautiful second symphonic poem-The Moldau. All you have to do now is choose one
of two paintings below and compare and contrast that painting with the music.
1. Choose a painting.
Study the paintings below by clicking on the links, and then choose the one you'd like to use for comparison with
Smetana's music.
Choice A: John Constable The Hay Wain
Choice B. J.M. W. Turner The Battle of Trafalgar
2. Listen to the symphonic poem.
Listen to this expressive music again to refresh your memory.

Before you officially compare and contrast the music and the painting, you'll want to learn as much as you can about each
of them. Take some time to research both the musical work and your chosen painting. As you research, take notes
separately about them, including information in these areas:
• the artist and the composer-what is special about them
• subject--what the subject of each is
• historical context-when and where they were created
• significance of the works-why they were created
• theme of the works-what each of the two works symbolizes, stands for, or means
• prevalent emotion(s) of the works-what feeling(s) they communicate

After you've analyzed and researched the music and the painting, compare your two sets of notes. What do the two works
have in common? How are they the same? How are they different? You might want to make a list of the similarities and
differences
Write an essay of no less than 300 words comparing and contrasting the two pieces. Include reference to the following
items:
• the title and artist of each piece
• subject of each piece
• historical context of each piece
• significance of each piece
.theme of each piece
• emotion of each piece
• your opinion on which piece is most effectively Romantic in style, and why you think so.