My First Classical Albums

There is a BIG hall filled with hundreds of people. They are just getting comfortable in their seats when the musicians walk onto the stage, carrying instruments. There are the string instruments: the violins, violas, cellos and large double basses, which are heavy to carry. There are the brass...

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is one of the most famous composers. When he was only three years old, he played the harpsichord and the violin. At the age of four he was making up his own music. He was so young that his father had to help him write it down. When he was six years old, Mozart and his...

When Beethoven was a young man, he was known as a brilliant pianist and a brilliant composer. But he didn't really have a happy life. He was born in the German city of Bonn and he gave his first public concert at the age of seven. But his father was very strict and made him practise for hours...

Meet Tchaikovsky... Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky was just five when he started learning the piano – in his small home-town in Russia. Most families like his had a piano but very few small boys could play it so well. Then he started writing music, too. Ideas for new music poured out of him...

The Piano There are different kinds of piano. Some are big and some are small. But they all have one thing in common: a keyboard with white keys and black keys. When you learn to play the piano, you use one hand first. Then you use the other hand. Then you play with both hands together. When...

The Violin Watch an expert violinist pick up the violin, place it under the chin and draw the bow across the strings, making music sing in the air: it seems so easy and natural. Actually, it can feel rather awkward at first! Where do I put my fingers for different notes? And how can I do it as...

What is Ballet? The ballerina glides across the stage, her arms making lovely lines in the air. A beautiful tune comes from the strings of the large orchestra. She is the Sleeping Beauty: she was put into a deep magic sleep by the wicked witch. But she has now been woken by her handsome prince...

The day comes to an end: light fades, darkness comes, and it is time for little ones to go to bed. The mother or father sits by the cradle, rocking it gently from side to side and singing a quiet song. Eyes close and sleep descends. Another day is over. This traditional scene has inspired many...

The great thing about Christmas is that you know lots of good things will happen. You know that pretty lights will start popping up all over the place. You know you'll get a holiday from school. You're probably ready to eat a special meal and to see family and friends. All these things are part...