25 Mozart Favorites
Release Date: 1996-08-20
Sales rank: 603
This is an astonishing collection of works - or parts of works - by Mozart that covers almost every aspect of his creative output: symphonic, religious music, concerti (for piano, horn, violin, clarinet, flute), chamber music, serenades (for strings; winds), a couple of opera overtures and more. Those who know and love Mozart's music will not need this, but it's a great introduction, a great overview. The selections are well-chosen and interestingly organized, with familiar pieces splrinkled among some not-so well known. A good primer. --Robert Levine |
Baby Einstein: Baby Mozart
Release Date: 2002-05-07
Sales rank: 1309
Recipient of the National Parenting Center's Seal of Approval, Baby Mozart music CD is a 15-track, 28-minute collection designed as a playful introduction to the genius of Mozart, the child prodigy from Salzburg. Bring to life the Classical Period (1750-1830) with the brilliance and grace of classical music by Wolfgang Mozart and enrich your child's life by exposing them to melody, harmony in this audio journey of some of Mozart's best work. Re-orchestrated for little ears, this collection is sure to bring joy to your little one's playtime or bedtime. Tracks from this delightful CD are featured on our Baby Mozart video and DVD. Musical Selections: 1. Tune up and fanfare based on themes from "The Magic Flute" 2. Piano Sonata in C, K545, 1 st movement 3. Piano Sonata in C, K330, 1st movement 4. Variations on "Ah vous dirai-je, maman", No. 1, 8 and 11, K265/300e 5. Piano Sonata in D, K576, 3rd movement 6. Concerto for Flute and Harp in C, K299, 1st movement 7. Piano Sonata in A, K331, 3rd movement 8. Piano Sonata in C, K545, 2nd movement 9. Sonata in D for Two Pianos, K448, 1st movement 10. Piano Sonata in C, K330, 3rd movement 11. Divertmento No. 17 in D 12. Piano Sonata in B flat, K570, 3rd movement 13. Piano Sonata in F, K533, 3rd movement 14. The Magic Flute, K620, Papgeno Arias No. 2 and 20 15. Symphony No. 41 in C, K551, 4th movement Age: birth + Product Award: Billboard Magazine Top Midline Classical Albums (#1) - 2004Of all the reasons you'll click the Add to Shopping Cart button next to Baby Einstein's Baby Mozart--and there are many--the best one is that playing this record for babies doesn't feel weird. Instead of subjecting tiny, tender ears to the kind of Mozart that can make adult classical fans wilt when tackled by a maestro who means business, this is Mozart lite, mixed and mastered by a dad, Bill Weisbach, who's clearly hung around for his share of crib-side cooing. The slightly tinny sound of a child's piano sweeps the sting out of Piano Sonata in B Flat's third movement; the first movement of Concerto for Flute and Harp in C floats by, birdlike; variations on "Ah vous dirai-je, Maman" translate to a fancy-sounding (but adorable) "Twinkle, Twinkle"; and Piano Sonata in F's third movement snuggles so deeply into its childlike setting that if you close your eyes, you'll see a pastel parade of animals floating by overhead. Other pieces (more aptly called fragments, since only one track stretches beyond the three-minute mark), like Symphony No. 41's fourth movement, wander into more robust Mozart territory, but it's here the claims about classical music enhancing young kids' abstract reasoning skills and spatial intelligence crystallize. Babies strapped in for a roller coaster of sounds that gracefully dips, swerves, and high-jumps like this version, do have to process what they're hearing somehow (and a case could be made that the instruments Weisbach's chosen--the vibraphone, glockenspiel, and music box among them--make it more appealing for them to do so). Followers of Julie Aigner-Clark's Baby Einstein empire, many of whom opted out of the fan club once Disney bought the company in 2001, won't trip over a single Mickey Mouse-ified sound here. This is pure, plugged in, and muted Mozart, and if it doesn't make your baby smarter, it'll at least sound awfully sweet issuing from your nursery's speakers. --Tammy La Gorce |
