Susan Hammond's Classical Kids

When my children were small, easily our best discovery of music to listen to  - children and adults - was this series of CD's.  Happily they are still available, and for anyone who missed them, I'm happy to write bit to let you know about them.  Do you have a child in your life? This is the gift!

Susan Hammond is from Toronto, and in the 80's and 90's produced this series. She wrote beautiful and engaging stories and added music from many of the great classical and baroque composers. They are woven together and very well done. I was reminded to write about this when I heard a YouTube video the other day of a Vivaldi Recorder concerto that transported me immediately back 25 years, to the many playings of this recording. We had long trips from the Cariboo to Vancouver and Calgary in those days, and these were our favourite accompaniments!

They are available on Amazon and almost all libraries have copies to loan. The series includes Mr. Bach comes to call, Beethoven lives upstairs (my son's favourite) Vivaldi's Mysterious Ring, Mozart's Magical "something", Tchaikovsky Discovers America. There is also a 9 recording box set with teacher plans for each of them. Would be most fabulous home schooling project.

She also did at least two others not focussed on individual composers, Daydreams and Lullabys, and a Christmas one.  All first class.  Would be great to listen to together, by internet or in person, and I can guarantee that the adults will enjoy and learn as much as the kids.

Happy to hear about your favourites!

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