Thursday, July 21, 2011

Musical Notes: Music industry news and releases for children and teens

‘Playing Guitar’ by Petr Kratochvil

Unique and family-friendly presentations of classical music is our main topic in this week’s edition of ‘Musical Notes’; from an upcoming sure-to-please performance and new release by Richard Perlmutter (Beethoven’s Wig) to CD’s featuring a mix of storytelling and music with the London Philharmonic, and a lovely bedtime tuck-in of gentle piano classics – plus, information on other entertaining live performance events featuring Baby Loves Disco, Recess Monkey and more.

LIVE PERFORMANCES AND ENTERTAINING EVENTS

Big! World! Fun! Family Series: Beethoven’s Wig Singing Along to the Classics - featuring Richard Perlmutter


 
Saturday, July 23, 2011
10:00 a.m.

Ford Amphitheatre
2850 Cahuenga Boulevard East
Hollywood, California 90068

Tickets: $5. Children 12 and under FREE

PERFORMANCE NOTES:

Ever since Richard Perlmutter toyed with the idea of marrying lyrics to classical works of music with his Beethoven’s Wig series, the cultural circle of ‘long hair’ has never been the same.

Beethoven’s Wig, hailed as opening the door to ‘"serious music"’ in a way that's fun, is now the most honored musical group in family entertainment.”

The world’s most beautiful and memorable musical masterpieces, professionally performed, from symphonies, sonatas, opera and now piano classics are presented with a twist, which includes the cleverest lyrics that often border on hysterical fun - totally redefining classical music and entertaining audiences of all ages.

In performance, Perlmutter will debut songs from his upcoming September 27, 2011 release .Beethoven’s Wig: Sing Along Piano Classics. The live-performance is a brand new production, with music and comedy routines starring Perlmutter and the four Beethoven’s Wig opera singers, accompanied by pianist and string quartet, along with guest performers on classical mandolin and guitar.

Beethoven’s Wig: Sing Along Piano Classics  adds the Beethoven’s Wig signature spin to music history’s beloved masters Chopin, Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, Schumann and Debussy.  The album also tackles works by modern composers Stravinsky and Schoenberg and mixes things up a bit with super-hysterical lyrics set to “The Entertainer” by Scott Joplin  and the ubiquitous two finger keyboard classic “Chopsticks.” Those who attend the Ford Amphitheater concert will be offered the opportunity to purchase advance copies of the CD.”

Collectively, the four previous Beethoven’s Wig CDs in the series have garnered an astounding 46 national awards, which include four GRAMMY nominations, plus the distinguished recognition of the albums spending weeks as Classical and Children’s music chart-topping best-sellers on Amazon.com. Beethoven’s Wig: Sing Along Piano Classics is destined for the same distinguished recognition. It is definitely 5-star material.

For further venue information or to order tickets, telephone (323) 461-3673 or online at http://fordtheatres.org/en/events/details/id/301, and to find out more about Beethoven’s Wig, check out their website at www.beethovenswig.com where you’ll find sound samples and lyrics for the four previous Beethoven’s Wig CDs as well as lyrics for the upcoming Beethoven’s Wig: Sing Along Piano Classics

And, just in case you've never seen Beethoven's Wig in live performance, take a look at the video below. Richard Perlmutter's classical interpretations will tickle your funny bone.

Just in case you’ve never seen Beethoven’s Wig in live performance, take a look at the video below, Richard Perlmutter’s classical interpretations will tickle your funny bone.
Just in case you’ve never seen Beethoven’s Wig in live performance, take a look at the video below, Richard Perlmutter’s classical interpretations will tickle your funny bone.
Just in case you’ve never seen Beethoven’s Wig in live performance, take a look at the video below, Richard Perlmutter’s classical interpretations will tickle your funny bone.
Just in case you’ve never seen Beethoven’s Wig in live performance, take a look at the video below, Richard Perlmutter’s classical interpretations will tickle your funny bone.



Baby Loves Disco – The Tour Continues

Saturday, 07/23/11
2:00 p.m.


Single Admission: 15.00
$15 per person or 4 for $50

PERFORMANCE NOTES:

Families are invited to join the Baby Loves Disco Nation, to dance, play, savor healthy snacks and generally enjoy good times with family and friends. Parents and kids are invited to dress up as their favorite superheroes, or come just as they are. For daily updates on the Tour, visit Baby Loves Disco's pages on Facebook and Twitter.  

Each event of the tour rocks with special guest superhero DJs and MCs, dance instruction, big video screens, super contests and surprises at every turn.  At its core, each event retains the patented mix of Baby Loves Disco magic that has helped connect a worldwide community of moms, dads and kids of all nations, of all colors and all walks of life, all in the name of dance (and fun!).”

For more information or to purchase tickets, please follow this link.

Teacher-Rockers RECESS MONKEY Soar in Phoenixville Show!


Tuesday, July 26, 2011
10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

The Colonial Theatre
227 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, Pennsylvania 19460

Tickets: $7 online in advance (includes $2 restoration fee); $8 at the box office (includes $1 restoration fee).
VENUE PERFORMANCE NOTES:

“Recess Monkey is an acclaimed children’s music band from Seattle, WA composed of three elementary school teachers who make kid’s music that grows out of their days in their classrooms. They continue to be praised across the country for sing able, danceable songs that parents enjoy as much as their kids. Mindy Thomas from SiriusXM’s Kids Place Live says, “These guys are able to tap into elementary school so well that it’s like they never left. In this never-ending nationwide talent show of kid and family music, they are most definitely at the top.” 

For further venue information or to order tickets, telephone 601-917-1228 or online at http://www.thecolonialtheatre.com , and to find out more about Recess Monkey stop by their website at http://www.recessmonkeytown.com/


Madison Square Kids Concerts Presents -


Erin Lee and the Up Past Bedtime Band


Performing
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

- AND -

The Itty Biddies


Performing
Thursday, July 28, 2011
10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Madison Square Park on the Oval Lawn (in Madison Square Park), Manhattan
(Directions to this location)

EVENT NOTES FROM THE MADISON SQUARE PARK CONSERVANCY:

“Madison Square Park Conservancy is thrilled to present its 9th season of Mad. Sq. Kids, a series of free outdoor performances for children and their families, which takes place rain or shine in the Park on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 10:30 a.m. June 14 to August 11.” Organized by the Madison Square Park Conservancy
For further information contact: (212) 538-1629 or email: jsong@madisonsquarepark.org

CDs



Lullaby Piano

Performed by pianist/teacher/songwriter, Lori Henriques Lullaby Piano contains 14 exquisite and gently performed dreamy musical gems from Bach, Chopin, Khachaturian, Mendelssohn, Satie and more.


The entire CD is a calming and centering experience, and a reflection of parent’s love that will easily become part of a cherished bedtime ritual for the child in your life.

The tender story of how this recording originally came to be, along with links to iTunes sound samples and MP3 downloads for all tracks, are available through the artist’s website.


My Name is Handel THE STORY OF HANDEL’S “WATER MUSIC” from Maestro Classics™



One of the world’s greatest symphony orchestras, the London Philharmonic under the able baton of Stephen Simon, presents A STORIES IN MUSIC™ CD for Narrator, Soloists, and Symphony Orchestra, featuring THE STORY OF HANDEL’S “WATER MUSIC.”

Simon, who served as Music Director of the Handel Festival of New York at Carnegie Hall, Music Director of the Handel Festival at the Kennedy Center, and whose recording of Handel’s Solomon garnered a GRAMMY nomination, is the perfect choice for bringing the interpretive elements of music as well storytelling  together. 

Maestro Classics™, has been the winner of more than 45 prestigious awards for its Stories In Music™ CD series.

The Story of Handel’s “Water Music” transports the listener back in time to the reign of King George I of England, and the history surrounding the creation of this monumental piece of music.


Selections from Handel’s "Water Music," "Messiah," and R "Rinaldo" are featured throughout the story, along with performances by soprano, Julianne Baird, baritone James Shaffron and narration by Yadu.

An informational/activity 24-page booklet, beautifully designed by Bonnie Ward Simon  accompanies the CD.
 
Maestro Classics™ website (www.maestroclassics.com) contains a wealth of advice and activities designed to help families incorporate classical music into their lives.  Sound samples for all tracks of The Story of Handel’s “Water Music” are also found at the website.

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