Customer Reviews

Bach's Goldberg Variations

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The legendary-like story behind Bach's immortal "Goldberg Variations" is told accompanied with fancy, often baroque-like illustrations with golden touches. The musically-talented orphan Johann Gottlieb Goldberg was taken in by a German Count. The Count directs him to play something new for him each week; and then later calls on him to do a "piece filled with dances and difficult runs...canons and something quite new...[and] a surprise that will trick me." To meet this demanding challenge, Johann has to turn to his mentor Bach, whose composition in answer to the Count's demand later came to be named after the orphan. The orphan Johann remains the focus of the tale, with Bach giving him musical information and guidance so that readers learn something about the technicalities and style of the "Goldberg Variations." Ages 4-7.

We have Celenza's Pictures at an Exhibition (Mussorgsky) and Farewell Symphony (Haydn), and the kids love them all. I find that this Goldberg Variations, however, lends itself better to reading WHILE the kids are listening to the CD (included) than the others do. Her Farewell Symphony makes a great story, but it is difficult to enjoy and appreciate the music at all while the story is in progress. By contrast, the Goldberg Variations themselves create a delightful backdrop to this engaging story. Warning: Don't expect to learn much about Bach himself in the course of the book; for that, turn to the Classical Kids CD "Mr. Bach Comes to Call."

My third grade music classes loved this story. The recording is high quality and the story well-written. I started with the author's note at the back of the book, as I think this helps kids understand the historical fiction genre a bit better. Great class material! The Rhapsody in Blue book is also excellent (I've used that with 6th graders) and the recording there is absolutely amazing!

I came across this book only because I was searching the internet for a John Kamitsuka recording of the Variations as a gift, only to find that it was out of stock everywhere I looked. I'm very pleased to have come across this package -- the book's a wonderful bonus!