The award-winning Classical Kids series introduces children -- and adults -- to the joys of classical music. A dramatic story, a little bit of history and the world's best-loved classical music set the scene for these fun-filled musical adventures.
Mr. Bach, a magic orchestra and boys choir surprise young Elizabeth as she practices at the piano. The series' premiere recording opens with the launch of Bach's music into space aboard the Voyager II spacecraft. Mr. Bach magically arrives and reminisces about his life and music; his twenty children, his time in jail and his devotion to the church. Not until the very end does he reveal the reason for his visit, "Every time my music is played... I am alive."
More than 28 musical excerpts include Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, Brandenburg Concerto #5, Air on the G-string, Flute Sonatas and Badinerie, Goldberg Variations, minuets and preludes, organ music and Cantata #78.
Awards: American Library Association Notable Children's Recording, Parent's Choice Gold Award, Parent's Choice Classic Award (The Classical Kids Collection), Award of Excellence Film Advisory Board, Practical Home Schooling Reader Award Music Curriculum Category, Certified Platinum Recording (Canada)
Also available from Classical Kids: Beethoven Lives Upstairs, Mozart's Magic Fantasy, Vivaldi's Ring of Mystery, Daydreams and Lullabies, Tchaikovsky Discovers America, Hallelujah Handel, Mozart's Magnificent Voyage
FROM THE ARTIST
Bach has always been my favorite composer, so it was natural I turn to him for my first recording. I will never forget the moment in studio when I first heard how voices take on new life when laid over music ("Bist du bei mir"). The Voyager take-off which opens the CD combines sound effects and controller-talk from no less than five early manned voyages. You can hear the fear, the anticipation, the majesty and the sense of adventure - all of which shine through Bach's music. If you are interested, you can hear my own piano playing on this recording, as well as a "Adventure in Music" where I had fun turning a nursery rhyme upside down and superimposing it on 3 other Bach pieces. It worked!
Susan Hammond, Classical Kids producer
Lewis Thomas (re Voyager music): "We would have sent all of the works of Bach, but that would have been bragging."
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.