Tuesday, February 14, 2012

The Soldier's Tale ~ Review & Giveaway

This drawing has ended & the winner has been contacted.


I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Mom Blog Society. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Maestro Classics

I remember as a kid going to visit the Lincoln Orchestra in Lincoln, Nebraska where groups of elementary students would take a field trip to the Orchestra to listen to popular children's music based on music written by Bach, Prokofiev’s, Stravinsky, Tchaikovsky and Handel. It was a wonderful way to learn about music and popular music used in the movies and TV shows we all watch every day.



The Soldier's Tale The Soldier's Tale
by Maestro Classics
Featuring Members of the London Philharmonic Orchestra & Stephen Simon, Conductor

I recently received a copy of The Soldier's Tale which tells the story of a soldier stopping to rest by the roadside as he walks home to his village. Joseph has just taken out his violin and begun to play when an old man appears, offering to trade a mysterious book that can reveal the future in exchange for the violin. When the old man, who is really the Devil in disguise, convinces Joseph that the powers of the book can be used to gain great wealth, the soldier agrees, and the inexorable wheels of this Faustian morality play begin to turn. Joseph eventually recognizes that he has lost his family and friends, and that money does not bring happiness. 

The Tortoise and the Hare
Casey at the BatThere are 9 different award winning CD's available. You'll find stories that are ones we've been hearing for decades (Peter and the Wolf, The Story of Swan Lake, The Tortoise and the Hare, & the Sorcerer's Apprentice) and some that were new to me and I'm sure to you (The Soldier's Tale, Juanita the Spanish Lobster). 


Each CD has an introduction to the story and the story itself - and also included are wonderful sessions that include how the composer wrote the music, information about different dances (tango, waltz and ragtime) and the music that "describes" that dance. The Soldier's Tale also talks about how music is written (with (triple/double stops) to sound like more than one of an instrument is being used versus using a whole string section or wind section.


I would suggest this series of CD's for kids of all ages. When your children are toddlers and preschoolers use the story track for naptime and quiet time listening. When your kids get older and are showing an interest in music, the way it's created, playing an instrument (and especially if they are gifted) to learn background, music theory and composition - heck, I found it interesting (and learned something new!) and I grew up playing the piano, cello and bass!


About Maestro Classics:
Maestro Classics™, winner of over 50 prestigious awards for its Stories In Music™ CD series, is dedicated to creating recordings that offer memorable listening experiences for the whole family -- albums where uncompromisingly great performances are woven into enchanting narratives, supplemented by expanded commentary and activities in beautifully illustrated, 24-page program booklets. Maestro Classics proudly announces the release of the company’s ninth CD, a sparkling rendition of Stravinsky’s masterpiece for narrator and chamber ensemble, L’Histoire du Soldat, retold for today’s young audiences as The Soldier’s Tale  (Maestro Classics, $16.98, for ages 8+ and families, run time 55 minutes).

About the Music: 
L’Histoire du Soldat, is one of a handful of the most important and distinctive musical works of the 20th century.  No child should grow up without getting to know this music, and parents who care about their children becoming culturally literate will want to take advantage of this remarkable CD.  As produced by Maestro Classics, The Soldier’s Tale surmounts the stereotype that classical music is boring and 20th century music unapproachable.  This album is most definitely not boring, and it is unquestionably “listener-friendly.” 
9 CD Collection
You can purchase the CD's individually or in sets. Juanita The Spanish Lobster is available in English & Spanish! There are a variety of sets available - Story, Classic and all 9 CD's. They make wonderful gifts for kids, adults, teachers and libraries. 


Be sure to take the time to explore The Website. There are games, puzzles, a kid's club to sign up for and more! There are also activity suggestions for teachers and families to use at home and links to other websites that are fun for kids to visit to learn about music.


Follow Them:


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WIN a copy of The Soldier's Tale! I know you'll love it as much as I have....

(Don't want to enter? - Please Tweet:) 
Maestro Classics: a great way 2 share classical music w/ your child ~ in story form! @familyliteracy WIN It 2/28 US/CA http://tiny.cc/ieegi




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I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Mom Blog Society. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

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