a Review: Maestro Classics, The Tortoise and the Hare

Classical Music CDs for Children: Maestro Classics: The Tortoise and The Hare.
Stories in Music!

London Philharmonic Orchestra
Stephen Simon, Conductor & Composer
Yadu, Narrator
Story adaptation by Bonnie Ward Simon

(excerpt from Maestro Classical Music Website)

Stories in Music™ is a collection of works for symphony orchestra and narrator designed for children ages 5 and up. These recordings are the outgrowth of years of successful concert hall programming at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC where Stephen and Bonnie produced their highly-acclaimed parent-child educational concerts with the Washington Chamber Symphony. Ever convinced that the "Peter and the Wolf" genre is one of the most successful ways to introduce people of all ages to the wonders of symphonic music, the Simons began collecting, creating, and performing works for their young concert hall audiences. Some works were created by adding narrations to well-known music, such as Dukas' Sorcerer's Apprentice; some were new music composed around well-known stories, as in Casey at the Bat and Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel®; and some were just totally irresistible unknown works, such as Juanita the Spanish Lobster. At long last, these wonderful works are being made available on CD for children, parents and grandparents to enjoy together.

The award-winning new classical music CD series for children and families combines classic stories with great symphony orchestra music. Combining literature, classical music, education and entertainment, these CDs for parents and children are perfect for ALL kids and interested parents. Once it was Baby Mozart, Raffi, ClassicalKids; now it is time for Maestro Classics(TM).

Awards Maestro Classics has received.
Articles about Maestro Classics CDs.

All products by Maestro Classics is located here.


Sample Audio of The Tortoise and The Hare (the product of this review!)

Price: $16.98
ISBN: 978-1-932684-18-6
UPC: 880626900027
You can buy here.
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Stemmerding Family take of The Tortoise and The Hare.

So, when we got this in the mail...my boys were excited to 'view' it. My three year old looked at the cover (for the CD) for a while...hence, the CD cover is bright and attractive for children. He also wanted to put it in the DVD player, but I told him that we 'listen' to it and not watch 'it.' So, after a small debate, we placed it into the CD player.

The story plus the lovely and wonderful classical music that accompanies the story makes for a good almost 21 minutes of pure delight. I even enjoyed it very much. The Tortoise and The Hare is such a classic and I love it also because of the lesson within the story.

My boys enjoyed it very much. This wonderful CD from Maestro Classics includes:
1. The Tortoise and the Hare (20:43)
(for Narrator and Symphony Orchestra)
2.About the Story (02:49)
(Bonnie Ward Simon)
3. Pretzel Vendor of Paris Song (02:06)
(Maestro Classics Dixieland Band)
4. About the Music (04:49)
(Stephen Simon, composer & conductor)
5. Now That you Know a Little More... (20:43)
(The Tortoise and the Hare)
6. Want to Have Some Fun? Prepare to Perform (00:35)
(Bonnie Ward Simon)
7. Pretzel Vendor of Paris Sing-Along (02:06)
(Accompaniment Only)

Also included with the CD...a mini-booklet amazing photo about where the Orchestra instrument are placed, tidbits of: musical 'notes', turtles & tortoises, rabbits & hares, pretzel dot-to-dot, the piano accompaniment for Pretzel Vendor of Paris (with words), word jumble, and crossword puzzle; plus information about the composer, producer, and narrator.

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We definitely had fun listening to the CD, the quality of the music and the narrator voice are superb. The price is not bad also...It costs as much as the next CD, but this is a added bonus because it makes us appreciate classical music in a fun way...

I wanted to post a video of them singing the 'Pretzel Vendor of Paris' Sing-Along, but my boys were not too interested in doing...yet! LOL!!! Maybe if we practice more I will add later.

Great price for a great product. I have no complaints or concerns about Maestro Classics.

To read more reviews on this same product and other educational products with the TOS Homeschool Crew, please go here.

DISCLAIMER: I am not paid to do the product reviews, so my review is exactly how I feel about the educational product and how my family used it.