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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