Beethoven's Wig
I grew up with music in the home. Beach Boys via record, Lawrence Welk on TV, and Roger Miller in the tape deck.
So obviously, my musical taste is EXQUISITE.
Hubs made a short attempt in college to refine me. It was futile. He would mumble something about "classical" not being a generic term for all "elevator music," but that it represents a time period zzzzzzz in music history, listen to the sound of me not caring, excuse me while I fall asleep in your Braharms.
Music majors.
During our early years of marriage, I took the opportunity to clean house, and by "clean house," I mean, "got rid of his stuff."
Including most of those "classical" CDs.
Awesome.
Especially now that it's time to pass on a musical heritage to my kids.
Fortunately, the library has saved my ever-widening butt. I've even found a set of CDs that mix Hubs' classy taste with my love for, well, nonsense.
Introducing: Beethoven's Wig (♫)
Oh, people. I'm a sucker for cleverly-written (often humorous) lyrics. All the songs on the Beethoven's Wig CDs are set to the tune of symphonies (or piano classics), and get this--actually teach something about the piece of music.
I KNOW.
BRILLIANT.
Best of all, I can listen along with the kids without desiring to stab my eardrums.
MMM-HMM.
Here are the CDs currently available:
In the interest of full disclosure, no one asked me to promote these CDs. But if you do click those links and buy something on the amazon site, I get a minuscule percentage of the purchase. The earnings I receive by being an affiliate help feed my family addiction of throwing pennies in a fountain twice a year.
You can check out the full list of Beethoven's Wig CDs and then send that link to your wealthy relatives. Wealthy relatives who happen to have a penchant for classical music with some zany lyrics thrown on top.
Okay. Tell me a little tidbit about your experience with classical ("classical") music.
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13 comments:
I don't think you want to hear about my experience with classical music, seeing through high school I probably sang in Latin, French and German with more frequency than I did English.
Poulenc, Hassler, Sculthorpe (for some contemporary classical) Passereau, IcouldgoonbutIthinkyourefallingasleep
David, the one Latin piece I can sing ("sing") is Nel cor piu non mi sento. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1uvkId8JdI Hubs used to accompany me when I'd sing that. And he'd always crack up at the "mastichi" and "pizzichi."
My husband is much like Victor Borge. Endlessly talented yet goof upon goof.
I do appreciate classical music some, can even name a number of pieces when I hear it. So can my kids, but to tell the truth, a lot of familiar pieces have been learned through the medium of Looney Tunes. It's funny how sometimes I can still envision Yosemite Sam, Daffy Duck, or Bugs Bunny tiptoeing, prancing their way across the screen, or even gearing up for a gunfight as a classical piece plays in the background. See, cartoons are not ALL bad...
I grew up with classical music, thanks to years and years of piano. But I must admit that I knew many of the pieces before I started lessons thanks to Looney Tunes! When my 3-year-old hears classical music, he calls it "Tom and Jerry music." So perhaps I should check out your links.
Well, being the incredibly talented, classically trained clarinetist who never made it big like Sabine Meyer, I am quite versed in classical music. We love it.
We think it's hilarious that our iPod plays Toby Mac, then Kenny Rogers, then Shosti 5th. And yes, we sing along.
So funny you would bring up classical music because I'm seriously trying to develop an appreciation for it. My kids are apparently way ahead of me though. I was humming some music the other day, trying to subliminally influence the kids to like the song. My daughter yells out, "Hey, that's Swan Lake!" I asked how she knew that song and she said, "Doh! Everybody knows that!"
BTW Amazon has *five* hours of classical music for just $5 - I just bought this album this morning.
http://www.amazon.com/Hours-Classical-Favorites-Amazon-exclusive/dp/B002A68AS6/ref=sr_shvl_album_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1256823988&sr=301-1
Classical music is so good for your brain there is at least one therapy program based entirely on listening to specially selected and filtered classical music. I know, anybody can say their stuff is therapeutic, but this is serious! It's at http://www.advancedbrain.com, and it's called The Listening Program.
I just posted about teaching classical music to my nine year old. This resulted in a trip to the Opera.
I thought I would hate it, but we both loved it.
http://www.franticallysimple.com/2009/10/18/classic/
Oh my.
I have a post in my draft file (not quite finished) about my latest experience, trying to instill a love for good music in my three boys. One of them is HoH (hard of hearing), and listening to music critically is a challenge for him.
But I cracked the nut.
Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture.
With my boys, any time you can work in artiller you have a captive audience.
Julie
Oops. That was ARTILLERY.
Found your blog through Shaun Groves....
Classical music...well, I have a masters degree in violin so I love it! (not all of it, though!) I try to play some sort of classical cd for my girls (3 and 4) every day while we homeschool. I tend to play more chamber music.
I have the Beethoven's Wig and have used it when teaching music to elementary school kids...they loved it! I have a hard time NOT singing the lyrics in my head when I now hear Beethoven's 5th - oh well!
You are in the pacific northwest? I just moved to the Portland area a month ago
Having been dragged kicking and screaming to many a classical concert in my youth, who would've thought I'd turn into a classical geek?! I was never one to actually LIKE practicing (nor do I like to practice at home by my lonesome today)! It wasn't until college that I purchased my first classical tape and then cd, (Oh the technology of the early 90's)! Or maybe it was my bassoon teacher who purchased my first cd. I have quite the collection now, but I still hate to practice.
Oh...as such a non musical person...I appreciate this information! I've been reading you for a while! Thanks for bringing some laughter and thoughtful moments to crazy mommy days! I just wish you wrote more often! :)
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