These reviews by Fred Koch appeared in the February, 2000 issue of “Chicago Parent Magazine.” Reviewed in this column:
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Parents with older children (about 8 and up) often ask me how they can connect, musically, with their children--short of packing them into the car and taking them to a Backstreet Boys concert. It can be tough going. These children are saturated by a media-based barrage of popular music. Add to that the practically irresistible pressure of their peers, and most kids are likely to succumb. So I guess the real question is how to support them as they go through this phase, while providing some musical alternatives that might be "cool" enough to appeal to them on some level and broaden their knowledge and appreciation of high quality music. And if some of this "non-popular" music gets through to them during these impressionable years, it might even have a profound and long-lasting effect on them. (Two quick cases in point: I vividly remember being in the high school play when I was in 6th grade and being moved to tears by "You'll Never Walk Alone" from Carousel--something I wasn't expecting and couldn't even explain at the time. And a friend of mine, who is a very successful musician now, recalls when he was last chair trumpet in his junior high band, and his father sat him down to listen to some classic jazz in an effort to inspire his son to practice more. From the moment he heard that great music, that young trumpet player knew he was going to be a musician.)
If my young son was in this older age group, I would make sure we experienced the new IMAX movie, FANTASIA/2000, together. He would be impressed by the film's spectacular visual imagery, and I would help him "see" it all over again at home, by playing the wonderful new FANTASIA/2000 original soundtrack (Disney Records, 1999). Walt Disney always intended FANTASIA to be a work in progress, continuously updated and supplemented. But it was not until Walt's nephew, Roy Disney, personally took up the challenge that FANTASIA/2000 came into being. The music that accompanies the new film includes new adaptations of Beethoven's "Symphony No. 5," Respighi's "Pines of Rome," Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue," Shostakovich's "Piano Concerto No. 2," Saint-Saens' "Carnival of the Animals," the "Pomp and Circumstance" marches of Edward Elgar and Stravinsky's "Firebird Suite." "The Sorcerer's Apprentice," by Paul Dukas is the only piece which appears here and in the original 1940 release. The IMAX visual presentation promises to be extraordinary, but the music stands on its own. This is an outstanding collection of some great symphonic music meant to be enjoyed by the whole family. Go Back to Top If you've become a fan of world music, you might enjoy turning your kids on to New World Party (Putumayo World Music, 1999). This compilation is a celebration of global culture, spotlighting some very hip music from around the world. The collection includes Brazilian R&B, Senegalese hip-hop, Latin soul (we're not talking Ricky Martin here), Algerian funk and African rap. New World Party features established stars such as Wyclef Jean (with Fugee bandmate Lauryn Hill), Miriam Makeba (South Africa), Gail Costa (Brazil) and Dissidenten (Germany). But there are also some less familiar artists, including Chico Cesar (Brazil), Zeca Baleiro (also from Brazil) and Los Mocosos (U.S.). The collection begins with "Pata Pata 2000," a re-recorded, modern version of Miriam Makeba's universal hit "Pata Pata." Other favorites of mine include Wyclef Jean's "Sang Fezi," a potent Haitian Creole rap, based on the melody of "House of the Rising Sun," and the South Asian groove of Dissidenten's "Lobster Song." Go Back to Top Who would have ever thought that musical styles could be combined to create so many marvelous cross-cultural hybrids? Another recording which might pass the "cool" test in your house, comes recommended by a young friend who, through her jazz band program in school, has been introduced to the music of Louis Armstrong. She suggests Louis Armstrong's All-Time Greatest Hits (MCA Records, 1994) for "kids who are into jazz or who like Louis Armstrong." She adds, "Almost all the songs were hits; it's a good CD." The most recognizable tunes include "What A Wonderful World," "Hello Dolly," "Mack The Knife" and my personal favorite, Armstrong's version of "When You're Smiling." Remember that a love for music is usually "caught," not "taught," so always be on the lookout for opportunities to share with your older children the music you enjoy. Whether your passion is orchestral music, world music or that swingin' jazz, encourage your children to open their ears and to discover some of the other really cool music that's out there. The titles I've mentioned are all major label releases, available wherever recorded music is sold. For more on FANTASIA/2000 visit www.fantasia2000.com. To find out more about Putumayo's World Music, click here. You can find the Louis Armstrong CD at www.amazon.com. Thanks for reading. And remember to contact me with your recommendations or comments. Write to me in care of Chicago Parent, or send e-mail to me at fkoch@lfelem.lfc.edu. Fred Koch is an award-winning music educator and a nationally recognized children's musician. He lives in Lake Bluff with his wife and young son. Go Back to Top |
