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Sometimes it's not easy introducing children to classical music, particularly if you're not the sort of person who will sit down and listen to music without trying to do something else at the same time. If you recognise this description (for you or for your children) you may well be interested in the "Beethoven's Wig" series of CDs which offers 20 tracks of well known pieces set to very funny words. It's perfect for listening in the car as you can hear a track or two on a short journey rather than needing a long time in which to concentrate all in one go. Like all the rest of my recommendations, they're fun for you as well as the children!
I have struggled with my conscience for some time about making recommendations for music for toddlers. The truth is that tiny children adore catchy simple tunes they can sing along to, and classical music is not the first music to which I would introduce a lively toddler. But if you love classical music you may need a bridge to it for these little people. When I looked around for music to play to the children, particularly in the car, I faced a major problem. Many companies have produced CDs of nursery rhymes which cannot be listened to more than once without feeling carsick oneself. And with little children, if they do like what they hear, you are going to have to listen to it over and over again so finding a decent music CD is vital to one's sanity!
For the past 70 years the most recent music and narrative composed specifically for children was Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf in 1936 written for his own children. Finally there is something new and modern for children to listen to, which might just open the world of classical music for them. Misterstourworm and the Kelpie's Gift is a very exciting recording of a work composed by Savourna Stevenson in 2003 and performed once that year. It brings together the Orchestra of Scottish Opera with narrative by Stuart Paterson and offers a blend of sweetness and darkness that turn the best fairy tales into favourites. Flute and harp create a magical harmony evoking faeries and stardust, while the frightening power of the monster come through strongly through the deep brass instruments.Any comments about the site? Send us a message using contact us.
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