This really is a joy to behold, and the perfect title to use as an opener to music lessons." Teach Primary The piece uses nursery rhymes, which come together in the finale, to introduce the four sections of the orchestra and its instruments to children under 12. The narration for the documentary film was written by Eric Crozier, the producer of the first production of Britten's opera Peter Grimes, and is sometimes spoken by the conductor or a separate speaker during performance of the piece. The composer also arranged a version without narration. The one without narration is more often recorded. The commentary often differs among recordings. The work is based on the Rondeau from Henry Purcell's incidental music to Aphra Behn's Abdelazer, [2] and is structured, in accordance with the plan of the original documentary film, as a way of showing off the tone colours and capacities of the various sections of the orchestra.

BBC Symphony Orchestra/Andrew Davis An orchestra in fine fettle expertly guiding us through this mini-masterpiece. After the whole orchestra has been taken apart in this way, it is reassembled using an original fugue which starts with the piccolo, followed by all the woodwinds, strings, brass and percussion in turn. Once everyone has entered, the brass are re-introduced (with a strike on the tamtam) with Purcell's original melody. [3] External audio The Very Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra follows young Ava and Jayden on a magical journey, as they discover the instruments of the orchestra, and explore beautiful scenes inspired by the music. Britten’s forceful approach may surprise some, but this recording will certainly engage both the orchestral novice and the initiated. Simon Rattle must surely have felt the same leading the CBSO. During his time in Birmingham, Rattle worked wonders with the city’s orchestra, as is amply showcased in this recording where the woodwinds are especially well characterised.

The composer’s own recording with the LSO was made in 1963, but in no way does it show its age. The opening theme, both vibrant and lively, sets the tone for a performance of great character in a recording that is simply stunning, albeit on the close side. Listening to each instrumental family demonstrating its own unique timbre and idiom, Britten must have been overwhelmed by his accomplished orchestra here. For the music-loving child in your life, this glorious book is ideal to give them. As Ava and Jayden go on a beautiful journey, they are not only inspired by the picturesque scenes set out before them, but each one is accompanied by a particular instrument. Watch your child's face light up as they press buttons revealing wonderful sounds from the likes of the ute, oboe, trumpet and clarinet - all classical pieces you both might recognise. A wonderful way to introduce children to an orchestra." Woman's Weekly

Duncan Lamont wrote an equivalent suite of variations (using the same Purcell theme) for jazz orchestra and narrator, The Young Person’s Guide to the Jazz Orchestra. [7] Mike Westbrook's After Smith's Hotel, subtitled The Young Person’s Guide To The Jazz Orchestra, was commissioned by the Snape Maltings Foundation and performed there in October 1983. [8] See also [ edit ] This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Boston Pops (14 May 2015). "Excerpts from John Hodgman's Debut Narration with Boston Pops". Archived from the original on 21 December 2021 – via YouTube.Introduce the maestro-in-making in your life to orchestral music. Follow Ava and Jayden on a magical journey as they discover the instruments of the orchestra and explore beautiful scenes inspired by the music. Young readers can discover instruments from the violin to the trumpet, and learn about the composers and their dazzling pieces. The spreads tell the story of the classical tune, while the sound button brings it to life. EducationGuardian.co.uk hears the very first performance of A Very Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra by Andrew Cottee and speaks to conductor Kevin Hathway. Performed by the National Youth Orchestra. (2min 45sec)

Follow Ava and Jayden on a magical journey, as they discover the instruments of the orchestra, and explore beautiful scenes inspired by the music. Introduce the maestro-in-making in your life to orchestral music. Young readers can discover instruments from the violin to the trumpet and learn about the composers and their dazzling pieces. The spreads tell the story of the classical tune, while the sound button brings it to life. Cottee's piece is played by members of the National Youth Orchestra Band and uses a narrator, who provides commentary on the instruments. Tim Lihoreau is the presenter of the biggest breakfast show on commercial radio: Classic FM's More Music Breakfast. Tim has won a multitude of awards for his radio writing and production on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as being the author of eleven books. His Modern Phobias has been translated into eleven languages. With a degree in music from the University of Leeds, he was a professional pianist before moving into radio. Along with his wife, he runs three amateur choirs in his home village in Cambridgeshire and regularly plays the organ at his local church. For those wishing to hear a narration (usually omitted these days), then Dame Edna Everage provides her own distinctive version to great effect in conductor John Lanchbery and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s interpretation. Credit to the engineers for capturing some fine playing with a natural recorded balance.Philip Noyce has been the Managing Editor of Classic FM since March 2020 and a key part of the station for over a decade. In that time, he has written for a large array of radio programs and presenters, reaching millions of people. He has a first-class honors degree in Physics with Music from Royal Holloway, University of London and is a keen musician who plays the cello and electric bass.

You’ll also find out all about some of classical music’s best-loved composers and their famous pieces along the way. Listen to Classic FM presenter, Zeb Soanes, read out an extract from the book below. Slightly more softly focused than our previous contenders is the BBC Symphony Orchestra under Andrew Davis. The music is still supremely well played and the final fugue, which begins with the instruments joining in one by one, reaches a suitably grand climax. Programme Notes". London Chamber Orchestra. 20 March 2013. Archived from the original on 4 August 2013 . Retrieved 3 August 2013. Thework,subtitled Variations And Fugue On A Theme Of Henry Purcell, is based on a simple hornpipe from Abdelazer, a play for which Purcell composed incidental music in 1695. Britain uses this theme to show off the colours, ranges and charateristics of all the instruments of a modern symphony orchestra.

25. Y: Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra

Comedian and author John Hodgman wrote a new narration of The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra in 2015 for a series of performances with the Boston Pops Orchestra. [4] [5] [6] Jazz orchestra versions [ edit ]