Classical Kids: Beethoven Lives Upstairs.

Classical Kids: Beethoven Lives Upstairs, Teacher's Notes (w/CD) by the agency of Susan Hammond. The Children's cluster (1400 Bayly St., Ste. 7 Pickering, forward L1W 3R2), 2004. 36 pp $1298 Ages 5-12

This delightful CD and main division set was first published in 1989 and revised in 1998 with this version released in August 2004 The goal of the series is to pluck students into the music and lives of great composer from establishing all emotional connection via a child in the story. A young lad Christoph, tells how his family openinged an upstairs room to Beethoven during the final year of Beethoven's life. The story line expands from letters written between Christoph and his uncle While the facts and anecdotes are historically based, the characters of Christoph and his family are fictional.

I place the story to be excessively compelling. It has great comedic appeal to children, with authentic stories such as Beethoven pouring water through the whole extent of his head in his apartment or writing music on the walls. At the same time it is profoundly inspiring. When Christoph goes to hear Beethoven's Ninth music he remarks, "To think that he heard all this in his head!"

The thirty-four musical selections/excerpts are rich and varied, encompassing symphonic, solo instrumental, vocal and chamber music literature. They effectively quota the story line. Some listeners may find it frustrating to listen to the story and the music at one time There are rarely more than four measures of music without a voice-over. Young listeners may not reality however. The overall quality of the performances is quite profitable The orchestra, conducted by Walter Babiak, achieves a replete symphonic sound despite its small numbers. In addition, there are four singers, used mainly in the Ninth Symphony; a synthesizer, used sparingly in a road scene; flute and violin solos; and a pianist in many performances of miniature pieces, sonata motions and concerto movements. It would be nice to have more information onward the pianist listed simply as "D Bodle" Microphone placement also assumes to vary on the piano selections. unmutilated effects abound, adding wonderful sparkle and drama to the story, making listeners be excited as if they are right in the public ways of nineteenth-century Vienna.

The Teacher's Notes, written by way of Susan Hammond, further develop the magic of the story and music. Correlation of other arts, discussion questions and musical explorations make up the fascinating six precept plans outlined for grades K-6 Icons for allude toed grade levels are in faint gray and difficult to make public There are many interesting facts and brilliant activities, making Beethoven's genius as relevant today as at any time Reviewed by Susan Bruckner, Santa Cruz California.

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