Beethoven Lives Upstairs [Import]

"...far and away the best of the lot..." -- Sacramento Bee

"Classical Kids are far and away the best recordings for introducing children to classical music..." -- Boston Herald

"Draws children into another century with entertaining and literate biographical drama...the composer's music...is interwoven into the story and comes alive." -- LA Times

"This is a fine introduction for a child to the life and music of the great composer" -- Detroit Free Press

"This is a seamless blend of marvelous story telling and glorious music...an exquisite, moving production..." -- Calgary Herald

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

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

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.