Vivaldi's Ring of Mystery (Audio CD)

Classical Kids (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 24, 1991)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Children's Group
• ASIN: 1895404770
• Also Available in: Paperback  |  Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,751 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

In this touching tale, a gifted young violinist is sent to study music at the Pieta orphanage in Venice with the great composer Antonio Vivaldi. It s Carnival time, magic is in the air and mystery unfolds as Katarina enlists Giovanni, the gondolier, to help in her search to discover her origins. In a climactic scene, a masked stranger reunites Katarina with her family and she must make an important choice between staying with her music at the Pieta or entering the world. More than 24 excerpts from Vivaldi s most popular and important works have been freshly recorded, including the Four Seasons, Violin Concerto in A-, Guitar Concerto, Piccolo Concerto, Double Trumpet Concerto and Vivaldi s unfinished opera Farnace, RV 711

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 41 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great introduction to classical music for kids April 21, 2001

By M. Ragen

Format:Audio CD

We've had this CD (and others in the Classical Kids series) for over a year now. Both we and our boys (now 6 and 8) have enjoyed them considerably. Of the various CDs, this one has one of the best story lines as it has a sense of mystery around it. At first, the story helped keep the kids interested. It provided a sense of history and helped set the stage for the era and place where Vivaldi lived. However, as they listened (time and time again), they started to pay more attention to the musical portions. Recently, we've been able to tell that they've picked up a sense of the music. When we listen to classical music on the car radio, time and again, they perk up when listening to a piece of music and surprise us by saying "That's Vivaldi" or "That's Beethoven". Sure enough - they've picked up something about the style of music that's characteristic of the composer. Sometimes it's the snippet of music from the CD and other times it's just the rhythms that are characteristic of that piece. As a family, we all recommend this.

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great mystery story and lovely music for children & parents January 10, 2003

By Nature Mom w/ 2 children + EE & Management degrees

Format:Audio CD

We have many of the Classical Kids CD collection, but this one is my children's favorite (ages 5 & 7). The story on this CD is a mystery that contains some sadness, clues, dangers & problems to overcome, fun, excitement - and of course great Vivaldi music. Even though my children knew the ending after hearing it the first time, the story & music are so compelling that they love hearing it over and over again anyway. It's one of the CDs I enjoy listening to with them. If you like Classical Kids' Mozart's Magic Fantasy/Magic Flute, you'll probably like Vivaldi's Ring of Mystery (my 5-yr-old thinks the Mozart story is too scary for nighttime, but not this Vivaldi CD, if that helps you guage the 'danger' at all). Enjoy!!

33 of 36 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent introduction to baroque music & absorbing story November 2, 1999

By Deborah Rochefort

Format:Audio CD

A nice piece of historical fiction for youngsters, with nicely performed clips of non-synthesized music by various artists, this is my 3-yr-old daughter's favorite CD, eclipsing even 'Toddler's Sing'! While I think the story is rather beyond her, she still grasps enough to have interest and sympathy for the young heroine, Katerina. Recently while in a mall, my young daughter excitedly recognized a piped-in composition as belonging to 'Valdi (Vivaldi), from a clip played on this CD. My favorite part of the CD music-story is where Antonio Vivaldi spontaneously composes an opera from a children's quarrel, which encourages young ones to spontaneously compose songs and perhaps 'operas' of their own (my only quibble is that I would have liked to have heard children singing this small section rather than adults). My little one sings along. The story line also has great atmosphere and pathos, the latter which although cliche for adult listeners, is certainly satisfying for children. And even this adult listener gets a lump in her throat sometimes listening to the tale of an orphan who starts out life not unlike my adopted daughter did as an infant.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Grown up child can testify! March 26, 2009

By Andy

Format:Audio CD

I am now a 23 year old student and I remember my parents playing these tapes to my sister and me in car rides multiple times when I was about 7 years old. To this day, I can recognize Vivaldi and know the differences, musically, between him, Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, etc. If you are hoping that these tapes will work their magic into the sponge-like minds of your kids, then I can offer first hand proof that they are worth every penny! Some of my best early childhood memories.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Classical Music Story for Children (and Adults!) November 15, 1997

By [e-mail]

What color was Vivaldi's hair? Why do Venetians fill egg shells with perfume? The only Christmas gift from a parent to a child that would be more valuable than Vivaldi's The Ring of Mystery would be the parent who listens to the story with the child. Parents will reward their children and themselves with this entertaining and informative mystery about Katarina, a young girl sent off to an all-girl orphanage in Venice, where Vivaldi is musical director. With the help of Giovanni, the gondolier, she searches all Venice during the festival for clues about her own mysterious past. Katarina tells her own story and interweaves it with more than 25 excerpts of the greatest music of her teacher, Vivaldi. The story and music are best enjoyed by parent and child on a cold Winter's evening in front of a warm fire! Or perhaps on a bright Spring morning in a field of flowers! Or on a warm Summer's night under a sky full of stars! Or on a blustery Fall afternoon overlooking an angry sea! Whatever the season, children will forever remember the first time they listened to The Four Seasons and heard the story of Vivaldi's Ring of Mystery.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful investment for children May 5, 1998

By A Customer

Format:Audio Cassette

For parents who want to educate their Chidren about the beauty of music, this is a wonderful buy. It is a story of a young violinist living in beautiful Italy. This story not only is enjoying to children, but adults get into the story as much as the children. Buy this book. Its wonderful. Make sure you also order the tape for the wonderful music.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Memories October 16, 2003

By Nicole

Format:Audio CD

When I was a young girl I started taking violin lessons. I had this and many other albums from the seious such as Beethovan lives upstairs, Mr Bach Comes to Call, Tchicovsky Discovers America and Mozart's Magic Flute. I listened to them until the casset tape was starting to stretch and ware out. Unfortunately the only one that I had on CD was the one with Mozart. I used to act out scenes from these albums as I listened to them. I am confidant that because of these tapes I have a more open mind to music today than I ever could have had I not listened to them. They got me into opera when I was seven and I still love it. Now there is not one genre that I can't appreciate and learn to love.