Mozart’s Magic Fantasy: A Journey Through ‘The Magic Flute’ [Blisterpack]

Product Description 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. This recording: A young girl falls into a production of Mozart’s great opera “The Magic Flute.” Sarah, Prince Tamino and a fainthearted dragon embark on a magic journey fromthe dark realm of the Queen of the Night to Sarastro’s enchanted castle, with only a magic flute and bells to guide them to the princess Pamina. Together they reunite Prince Tamino with his Princess and help the birdman Papageno find his Papagena. This recording includes the most popular themes and arias from the original opera, all freshly translated and recorded using child-appropriate verse. Lyrics included. Awards: Juno Award Best Children’s Recording (Canada), Parents’ Choice Gold Award, American Library Association Notable Children’s Recording Award, Parents’ Choice Classic Award, Practical Home Schooling Reader Awards Music Curriculum Category, Certified Gold Record (Canada), Certified Platinum Record (Canada) Also available from Classical Kids: Mr. Bach Comes to Call, Beethoven Lives Upstairs, Vivaldi’s Ring of Mystery, Daydreams and Lullabies, Tchaikovsky Discovers America, Hallelujah Handel, Mozart’s Magnificent Voyage Review “(Classical Kids producer Susan) Hammond has done a remarkable and lasting service to music, education and the opportunity for children to enjoy that which is most enduring and imperishable of all human creations…” — Full Score “…a classical series with just enough fantasy – and reality – to captivate kids…and parents will relish replaying Classical Kids as much as the kids do…” — Parenting “Art made accessible: nobody does it better than Classical Kids.” — Entertainment Weekly “The combination of high opera and all-ages chuckles here is peerless.” – The Record “Susan Hammond’s music is alive…perhaps this type of musical education can give classical music a hope for the future.” — Calgary Tonite From the Label “…an innovative mix of theatrics and music…the composer’s most famous material spills out naturally, colour-coded by the strong images that surround it.” From the Artist There is nothing more exciting than waiting for a concert to begin. The lobby bell rings, the orchestra tunes, the lights dim, singers practice and stage machinery creaks, the conductor raises his hand and … magic. That is what I wanted to capture in the beginning of this recording. I also wanted to go back into one of my favorite childhood books, “The Wizard of Oz” to set up the idea of being swept into a strange place (an opera), and having to find your way home. Now we had the context for the opera, how to make kids like operatic voices? My solution was to put an 8-by-10 picture of a 6- year-old on each music stand. I then said to the singers, “Sing to that voice, and make them LOVE what they are hearing. Sing with simplicity, diction and beauty.” Using the original lyrics by Douglas Cowling, I think they succeeded magnificently. This has become the recording I listen to during my long car trips. Susan Hammond, Classical Kids producer “Mozart is the culminating point of all beauty in the sphere of music” (Tchaikovsky) About the Artist Classical Kids originator and producer Susan Hammond is acclaimed for her award- winning recordings introducing children to classical music. A former concert pianist, music teacher and mother of two, Hammond has seen youngsters respond to classical music how it touches their hearts, their imaginations and their spirits. From her dining room table the Classical Kids concept dramatic stories combined with classical music to captivate, engage and entertain has grown to include audio recordings, books, video, symphony concert presentations, educational resources, foreign language recordings and books and interactive CD/ROM. Susan Hammond is a frequent contributor to National Public Radio and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, a passionate and respected speaker at music education conferences and a recipient of The Order of Canada for her contribution to the arts. She lives in Toronto with her family.