Top 40 Classical Fun Facts

Why do people always stand when they hear Handel's Hallelujah Chorus? Did you know that Bach's music was forgotten by the public for many years before being rediscovered, and that Beethoven wrote his famous Ninth Symphony after he lost his hearing? Experience classical music like never before with captivating composer stories, active listening, dramas, interviews, puzzles and a whole lot more! Drop into the lives of famous composers from the Middle Ages through the Twentieth Century. Sharpen your listening skills with the music of Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Strauss, Tchaikovsky and others. Act out your own fictional television interview with Bach. Decode fascinating fun facts through musical word spelling. Discover the flashy music of the Baroque era in contrast to the dignified music of the Classical era. Learn about symphonies, concertos, operas, arias, chamber music and program music. Identify tone colors of different instruments with challenging listening activities, and much more! This engaging resource for upper elementary and middle school features 40 reproducible activities and a listening CD with quality orchestral recordings - a “must” for every general music library! Get ready for some classic fun! Available: Book/CD. Suggested for grades 4-8.