Listen to the Music: The Composers

Listen to the Music: The Composers is an interactive journey through music history, bringing young readers up close to the world’s most famous composers.

Meet Antonio Vivaldi as he gets inspired by the birdsong of spring, take a woodland walk with Ludwig van Beethoven, see Clara Schumann at her piano recital, and enjoy the sounds of the big band with William Grant Still. In each scene, you’ll read a short snippet about the composer and the story behind their most beloved pieces, before pressing the button to hear the piece performed. At the back of the book, you’ll find a detailed introduction to each piece and its composer, with suggestions of what to listen out for.

Here are the expertly picked pieces you’ll find in Listen to the Music: The Composers:

• Antonio Vivaldi, ‘Spring’
• Ludwig van Beethoven, ‘Symphony No. 9 in D Minor’
• Frédéric Chopin, ‘Fantaisie-impromptu in C-Sharp Minor’
• Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, ‘Swan Theme’
• George Frideric Handel, ‘Music for the Royal Fireworks’
• Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, ‘Violin Concerto in D Major’
• Clara Schumann, ‘Three Romances’
• Johann Strauss II, ‘The Blue Danube’
• Nikolai Romsky-Korsakov, ‘Flight of the Bumblebee’
• William Grant Still, ‘Afro-American’

You can meet the composers in chronological order, or turn to your favourite pieces again and again, at your own pace. With beautiful hand-painted illustrations and magical musical buttons, Listen to the Music: The Composers is the perfect introduction to classical music for young ears.