23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A TREASURE FOR YOUNG READERS, April 9, 2004
This review is from: The Heroic Symphony [With CD] (Hardcover)
The author, an associate professor at Michigan State University, has already educated and entertained young readers with the lives of two composers in "The Farewell Symphony" and "Pictures At An Exhibition." When paired with rousing watercolor and ink illustrations by JoAnn Kitchel, both of those books are small treasures, as is "The Heroic Symphony," which relates the life of Beethoven.
As the story opens Beethoven has it all - fame, fortune, and the ability to play the piano better than anyone in all of Europe. However, the music lovers who flocked to hear him have no idea that he is slowly losing his hearing. Desperate, hoping for a cure in the spring of 1802 Beethoven fled to a remote clinic.. But there was no help for him.
As Beethoven despaired a melody began to fill his mind, and he realized that if he could no longer play the piano he could compose. He knew that he wanted to write music that would not only entertain but would also inspire, so he searched for inspiration. One name came to him - a war hero, Napoleon Bonaparte.
Later, upon learning that his hero, Bonaparte, had crowned himself Emperor of France Beethoven attempted to destroy his months of work, but was stopped by a close friend. At length Beethoven scratched the name Bonaparte from his manuscript and wrote a new title, "The Heroic Symphony."
A CD recording of Beethoven's Symphony No. 3 ("Eroica" is included. It is performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Sir Georg Solti.
- Gail Cooke
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A treasure from this author and illustrator is no surprise!, July 24, 2006
This review is from: The Heroic Symphony [With CD] (Hardcover)
I am in love with this series of books for children! I own three of them and can't wait to get the rest. This is a perfect series for homeschooling families, or parents who want to supplement what their children are learning outside the home. This book not only tells the story of Beethoven's life and inspiration for writing The Heroic Symphony, but it also gives some of France's history at the time that Beethoven wrote it. The illustrations are beautiful and truly works of art in themselves. This book will be used by our family and passed down to be used again and again. The CD which accompanies it is very well done. My children love to listen to the music and love the story that goes along with it. I feel that the love of classical music is a great gift to give any child. This book is well worth the money, and hard to find at a lower price! Well done!
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great lesson for kids, December 18, 2007
This review is from: The Heroic Symphony [With CD] (Hardcover)
This is an excellent book to share with a young person - age range three to about age eight. The lesson taught is one of never giving up. Adversity may make the task more difficult, but not impossible. Telling the story of Beethoven in this way was a brilliant move. Very highly recommended.
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