Series Originator and Producer: Susan Hammond
Classical Kids recordings combine music, drama, and a little bit of history to help children learn about famous composers, their music, and a bit of history of the times. These biographical dramas allow kids to unleash their curiosity and imagination as they embark on a journey that takes them around the world and back in time. Each musical story is underscored by context-relevant selections of the featured composer's musical works, and tells a poignant story that revolves around children listeners can really relate to, their discoveries, and interactions with other well-developed characters. Classical Kids recordings are at once elaborate and simple and thus provide enjoyable listening for the whole family.
With so many children's products relying heavily on visual stimuli, Classical Kids recordings provide a fresh change of pace. Kids will listen instead of watch, sparking their imaginations as they instinctively visualize the story in their minds. These recordings appeal to children of all ages, and many a parent as well!
Beethoven Lives Upstairs is a work of art. The recording begins with an introduction in which the narrator describes Beethoven's funeral in March 1827 in Vienna, after which the listener is drawn back to a time when Beethoven rented a room in the house of a 10 year old boy, Christoph, and his family. We learn all about Beethoven, his music, Vienna, and the main character Christoph through a series of letters between the boy and his uncle. Christoph's first letter to his uncle is a rather angry one, as the boy is finding it impossible to adapt to his mother's new tenant, Mr. Beethoven, who Christoph sees as an intruder. The boy complains of a "dreadful noise" coming from Beethoven's room that disrupts his life with his baby twin sisters. Not only that, all the kids on the street laugh at him because of Beethoven's very erratic behavior. Christoph begs his uncle to tell his mother to send Beethoven away!
Over time, however, Christoph's letters soften as he slowly opens his heart to Beethoven and grows to understand the famous composer with the help of his uncle's letters and Beethoven's music itself! The uncle recounts Beethoven's unhappy childhood, and later pleads with Christoph to empathize with the deaf composer. Christoph recognizes how lonely and frustrating Beethoven's life must be and discovers that there must be a great heart behind Beethoven's powerful music. By track 11, Christoph is beginning to allow himself to feel and appreciate the music, and lets his imagination go.
The musical arrangements for the drama are beautifully interwoven into the story line — Christoph's uncle tries to explain Beethoven's mood swings, temper, and rough manners to his nephew as music from Pathetique Sonata plays; Christoph recounts an unusual episode in which Beethoven poured water over his head for no apparent reason, to a more playful sonata; the haunting Moonlight Sonata underscores Christoph's time alone in a quiet house when he reflected on the fact that Beethoven believed that his music would change the world.
This work is at once powerful and touching. Listeners are encouraged to feel and appreciate Beethoven's musical legacy hand in hand with Christoph. Little details, such as Christoph writing by candlelight at night, help to create the atmosphere of the times. His uncle's stories paint a vivid picture of the thriving city of Vienna in the time of Beethoven. Kids listen as Christoph grows from feelings of resentment to compassion, and feel the sense of pride that Christoph feels when he watches Beethoven's concert all the while listening to an excerpt from the triumphant Symphony #9.
Kid testers were quickly drawn into the story line and readily identified with Christoph. This CD/cassette is perfect for travel time or lazy afternoons.
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