The engaging text is broken into three sections: an introduction to each instrument of the orchestra from the cello to the timpani, the stories of famous composers from Bach to Stravinsky and an explanation of different musical styles from Baroque to Modern. Each step of the way, children can listen to actual musical examples of what they are learning about. Young readers will hear the sound of an actual violin as they study the instrument and enjoy the playful tune of a Mozart minuet as they read about the composer's precocious exploits as a child.

We actually read Part II: Instruments first. Students learn about the organization (where everyone sits) and instruments of the orchestra. Each chapter features an introduction into the featured section, followed by explanation of each individual instrument. Chapters include: Strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, and keyboard. Photographs well illustrate what the instruments look like, but the drawings are inconsistent. While they give visuals for interesting facts, they fail to who how all the instruments are played and we had to fill in from the internet. Oiya, ada banyak fakta mengejutkan yang saya dapat dari buku ini, contohnya Debussy yang terinspirasi oleh alat musik gamelan dalam acara Paris Exposition pada tahun 1889 sehingga menghasilkan musik baru! (ini maksudnya gamelan..gamelan Indonesia?! woww.. kalau bener dari Indonesia, berarti musisi Indonesia di tahun 1889 udah go international. PR banget buat saya nyari tau tentang gamelan). The George Benjamin By George! Festival, continuing through to 2003, wins a Royal Philharmonic Society Award. World War I breaks out in August: initially concerts continue, although a few foreign conductors and soloists cancel because travel from Europe is impossible.

Wikipedia citation

We take part in a series of concerts and events across London marking 400 years since Shakespeare’s death and celebrating the enormous contribution of his work to arts and culture. My daughter has loved these books since she was around 2 years old and now 4 it is so lovely to see her trying to consider which instrument is playing. She adored the flutes in the Aquarium. These are such good book for bedtime, but also wonderful for beginning classical music appreciation for children. Magical! “They dive and see schools of fish swimming past, with shimmering scales and wiggling tails.” Lord Howard de Walden is appointed Honorary President in gratitude for his financial support of the Orchestra. Many of the world’s greatest artists come to our Barbican concert to celebrate Mstislav Rostropovich’s 75th birthday.

Right now lots of us are looking at how to make learning fun at home. Books are a way that we like to ignite our daughter’s interest in topics. If it’s something she’s interested in then we find ways to bring about fun learning through play through those interests.

The orchestra is first noted in 1597 when Giovanni Gabrieli (1557-1612) wrote the Sacre Symphoniae. It then evolves in the Baroque period with the standardization of the violin and the introduction of the oboe. During the Classical period, brass instruments are added to the orchestra as are timpani and pianos. Woodwinds did not take center stage until the Romantic period of the 19th century. Finally in the 1900's, additional percussion instruments are used, jazz emerges, and computers are used to enhance sound. Bangeeeeet sukanya, selain bisa sedikit tau sejarah musik klasik (mulai era barok, era klasik dalam musik klasik, era romantik, sampai era modern) juga bisa kenal sama komposer-komposer dari setiap era tersebut, baik yang sudah saya tahu nama dan karyanya ada juga yang baru saja saya tahu dari buku ini. Asyiknya, buku ini dilengkapi CD, jadi saya bisa mendengarkan karya dari komposer-komposer tersebut; seperti Wanger, Vivaldi, Bach, Hydn, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Mahler, Debussy, Stravinsky, dll. Serta disertai petunjuk, lagu tersebut menceritakan apa atau efek yang ingin disampaikan oleh komposernya :D