Music Review: Casey at the Bat
Rated by 1 member
What Parents Should Know
This CD encourages listening skills through storytelling and
orchestral music, and though some of the presentation is dry
and didactic, the motivated listener can learn much about
music.
CASEY AT THE BAT hits a home run. It begins with the timeless story of mighty Casey, written in 1888 by Ernest Lawrence Thayer. Complete with original music penned by Maestro Simon and flawlessly narrated by Yadu, this is a delightful learning tool. A booklet loaded with exercises, information, and games to play accompanies the CD.
The eleven tracks include "About the Poem", a somewhat dry though informative narration by Bonnie Ward Simon, Executive Producer, on the history of "Casey at the Bat." Stephen Simon explores instrumental 'motifs' in an original orchestral score by using the short song "In a Cabin in a Wood." A performance by Young Suzuki students and a dance-along Tango add to the lively line-up. All the tracks teach and encourage good listening skills.
The CD features the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Production values are excellent; the original music is delightful. Information interspersed throughout the narrative is highly valuable for the patient listener. Families who sit down to learn together will not strike out.
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