Susan Hammond - Beethoven Lives Upstairs - [CD]

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. The arrival of an eccentric boarder turns a young boy's life upside down. Ludwig van Beethoven has moved in upstairs! At first Christoph resents their new tenant but slowly he comes to understand the genius of the man, the torment of his deafness and the beauty of his music. In the end he is won over by the music and true incidents from the great composer's life. The music, all originally produced, includes excerpts of more than 35 of Beethoven's best-loved works: Symphonies Nos. 5 to 9, the Moonlight and Pathetique Sonatas, Violin "Spring Sonata," Flute Serenade, G+ Sonatina, Minuet in G+, Fur Elise. Awards: Juno Award Best Children's Recording (Canada), Parents' Choice Silver Honor, American Library Association Notable Children's Recording Award, Practical Home Schooling Reader Awards Music Curriculum Category, Film Advisory Board Award of Excellence, Parents' Choice Classic Award, Certified Gold Record (Canada), Certified Platinum Record (Canada) Also available from Classical Kids: Mr. Bach Comes to Call, Mozart's Magic Fantasy, Vivaldi's Ring of Mystery, Daydreams and Lullabies, Tchaikovsky Discovers America, Hallelujah Handel, Mozart's Magnificent Voyage FROM THE ARTIST Making a recording about Beethoven was daunting, thrilling, and strangely important to "get it right". I remember thinking, "How can you get across this greatest of all classical composers?" While watching my children making -- cards, I realized: "Letters! That's the perfect way to give the listener a personal, lyrical view a famous person...without having him lose his class!" Three days and 1,600 edits later, we had recorded the heart-breaking voice of one very patient 9-year-old (Nathanial Moreau). Two of my favorite moments came when we laid "The Moonlight Sonata" behind Christoph's quiet realization that, "Mr. Beethoven works so hard, because he believes that music can change the world." And when technicians kept dropping into the studio to hear again, "To think he had heard this in his HEAD!" during the Ode to Joy. Yes, Beethoven did change music forever.Susan Hammond, Classical Kids producer--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.