Hi, Welcome back
“If music be the
food of love, play on...” William Shakespeare.
Music fills the
quiet spaces, a combination of notes, rhythms sounds and melodies blended.
Music comes in
all forms, from the subtlest of sound to the most eclectic. There is something
for every taste, from classical to heavy metal.
Author Daniel
Handler, known to many by his pen name, Lemony Snicket, has combined a
wonderful picture book with music. The Composer is Dead introduces kids to the
world of classical music. Daniel himself, narrates the story, accompanied by music played by the San Francisco Orchestra. The Composer is Dead, introduces the reader to the instruments of an orchestra, each with their own sound.
Daniel Handler aka: Lemony Snicket
American author Daniel Handler is a writer, screen writer and musician. He is the author of many children's books including the best selling, Series of Unfortunate Events. Many of his children's books are written under his pseudonym Lemony Snicket.
THE COMPOSER IS DEAD
Review : The Composer is Dead
The Composer is Dead, is, a whimsical whodunit mystery that takes place in the concert hall. Right at the opening page, the composer is discovered, dead. In walks the inspector, his role throughout the story to question the orchestra. He begins in the strings interviewing the violins, cello's bass and lastly, the viola. Once satisfied they did not murder the composer he moves on to the woodwinds, brass, and percussion. Each instrument in the orchestra is highlighted throughout the story.
A mix of genres played, from classical Waltz to nightclub Jazz, by a menagerie of instruments.
The Composer is Dead can be enjoyed in
several ways. One, read as a book, or listen to the story accompanied by the
music. Lemony Snicket narrates the story as the Inspector, accompanied by the
music written by Nathaniel Stookey.
Illustrator: Carson Ellis
Born in Vancouver Canada, artist Carson Ellis resides in Oregon with her family. A well-known artist, who has not only illustrated The Composer is Dead, but other children's novels; Wildwood and The Mysterious Benedict Society.
Composer: Nathaniel Stookey
Nathaniel Stookey is the writer and composer for Lemony Snicket's: The Composer is Dead. American trained musician, he has shared collaborations with many great orchestra's including the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Cleveland Orchestra.
Link to a preview and interview from The Composer is Dead with Daniel Handler and Nathaniel Stookey.
Sergei Prokofiev: 1891-1953
Russian composer, Sergei Prokofiev wrote Peter and the Wolf, a classical story narrated to music.
The
instruments played are linked with the characters in the story. Flutes blended
with the bird, duck the oboe, the hunters the kettledrums and Peter the
violins. The music is repeated throughout the story as a way to familiarize
children with each instrument.
You tube link to Peter and the wolf:
Camille Saint- Saens (1835-1921)
Camille Saint- Saens, French Composer,
wrote Carnival of the Animals. He too combined narration with music to tell the
story using strings, pianos, bass and flutes.
Books by Lemony Snicket:
Picture Books:
13 Words- A Word Like No Other
A Lump of Coal
The Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming: A Christmas Story
The Dark
Middle Grade Books:
Series of Unfortunate Events (13books)
Horseradish: Bitter Truths You Can't Avoid
New Series: Who Could that be at this Hour (All the wrong questions Volume 1)
Books by Daniel Handler: (Teen)
Why We Broke Up
The Basic Eight
Adverbs: A Novel
I hope you enjoy an introduction to the orchestra.
Happy Reading,
Bye
Rosalyne
