Customer Reviews

Mozart's Magic Fantasy: A Journey Through 'The Magic Flute'

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a great CD for kids. It is different from the other Classical Kids CDs in that this is the only one that stays completely within one piece of music. This format allows the story of the opera to be developed in a way that maintains the integrity of the opera both in terms of time and space -- and this gives the kids a great way to follow along. This is a really neat way to introduce classical opera to children because the story on the CD is compressed enough to keep their attention and there is enough of the music to give them a sense of the entire story. Our kids have both enjoyed this one.

To the point of the naysayer's review, if you want the Classical Kids CD that covers a broader spectrum of Mozart, then you should go for the 'Magnificent Voyage'. That CD is more typical of the other Classical Kids CDs in that its story includes music from Mozart's entire career.

I know not a lot about opera..my kids (8,6, and 6) always had laughed when it came on the radio. This CD is incredible and a terrific way to introduce opera to children..great story, great music....the children asked for it 4 times over and when finally it was bedtime asked "But can we have it again tomorrow, Mummy?" Now these are kids who can hardly sit still..I am amazed. All in all, very educational, AND very enjoyable -for all of us. I'm collecting the set for sure!

It is now more than a year since I wrote this review, and I am pleased to say we DID collect the whole set of CDs. "Mozart's magic fantasy" is still probably the favourite, though we have enjoyed all CDs. The story setting and music does give a good introduction to the works of Mozart especially of course "The magic flute", enough so that the children will recognise this opera when they hear it being played as "serious music". Grandparents too love it when they hear the children singing along to THEIR favourite classical music.

The dramatisation on this particular CD is extremely good, drawing the listener into the story. Our children become quite involved in the excitement and fear as the Queen of the Night sweeps into the scene, feel sorry for Papageno searching for his loved one, and cheer when Tamino and Pamina are safe.

These CDs are a great introduction to classical music. If you are homeschooling, or just interested in giving your children a broad experience of good music, they can be used with great enjoyment, while reading good books about the particular composer, and listening to further of his works. I have seen other families,who thought they didn't like classical music, "hooked" by this series. They went on to explore further the music of many great composers.

Would we buy this CD again??? Definitely!!

Mozart's Magic Fantasy captivated my daughter at the tender age of two. She is five now and still LOVES to listen to this recording! It's a bit different from the traditional version, but it contains much of the original music, along with a milder story line for the kids. After two years of listening to this version, we purchased the full Opera performance on video. Despite the fact that the entire performance is in a language my daughter doesn't speak (German) she has watched the film presentation of The Magic Flute over and over again. Now she wants flute lessons...! It all started with the Classical Kids story, Mozart's Magic Fantasy.

This recording has delighted our family for years. Yes, some of the voices are annoying, some of the songs are not what they should be, but opera snobbery aside, this adaptation is great for kids and fulfills its goal of getting young people interested in opera. After listening to this tape, my children graduated to the "real thing" as other reviewers have mentioned. Expecting your kids to respond to and like opera right off the bat might turn them off to it forever. If they like it and you can't stand it, get headphones for them.

She asks for it again and again. Her fascination with this CD led to purchase of the DVD of the Met performance of the real opera, assembly of an entire cast of Magic Flute puppets, and we are now attempting to find the right costume for her to wear as Pamina for Halloween! It's been almost a year since we purchased the CD and her interest has only grown.

We have other classical music and Classical Kids stories, but this one is special.

...so don't put it down because the voices annoyed you but not your child. Being 19, I can still remember how I felt about this tape, so I'd like to think this review is somewhat more useful.

It is, in my opinion, the perfect introduction to opera. Growing up, I would listen to this whenever I was poorly and off school. I found the storyline exciting, sometimes scary, romantic, and yes the little girl annoyed me the older I got, but nevertheless, I used to imagine that I was her.

In response to the reviewer who said that this does not give you an appreciation of Mozart, I disagree entirely. It is true, Beethoven Lives Upstairs is also wonderful, and probably is a big influence on why he is one of my favourite composers, but thanks to Mozart's Magic Fantasy I am now enthralled by the actual opera, and have it as one of the most listened to playlists on my computer.

The most hum-able melodies and the scariest and jolliest tunes from his opera are on here, and it is the equivalent of an abridged book.

I would also highly recommend Beethoven Lives Upstairs, Mr Bach Comes to Call, and Peter and The Wolf - A Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra.

My 3 year old LOVES this CD. We listen to it every time we get in the car. The music is gorgeous of course, and the running dialog and well drawn characters keep the interest going and make the story clear for young and old alike. He now says "Did this mozart guy make any other music?" We've opened a whole world up to him. Every day he wants to pretend "magic Flute". Fantastic.

My 3 year old LOVES this CD. We listen to it every time we get in the car. The music is gorgeous of course, and the running dialog and well drawn characters keep the interest going and make the story clear for young and old alike. He now says "Did this mozart guy make any other music?" We've opened a whole world up to him. Every day he wants to pretend "magic Flute". Fantastic.

A wonderful & exciting introduction for children to classical music. My children 5 & 7 listen to it over and over. Which lead us to purchase each one available, Handel, Vivaldi, Bach now waiting for the mozart magical mystery adventure.

I have the entire series in my car. My kids (three of them, various ages and sexes) WORE OUT the tapes so I have upgraded to CDs. Since I am a musical nit-wit these incredibly well-done stories are an absolute God-send and a pleasure for Mom as well as the kids! Now I am no longer "Clueless about Classical".