Classical Kids LIVE!NSO Family Concert
Produced by Classical Kids Music Education
Written by Douglas Cowling
Presented in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall
Paul Pement director and producer
Susan Hammond series creator
Elic Bramlett and Andrew Redlawskactors
Ankush Kumar Bahl conductor
David and Alice Rubenstein are the Presenting Underwriters of the NSO.
Performances for Young Audiences is made possible by
A Composer and His Son
About the StoryIt’s 1791 in Austria and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (MOH-tzart) has a small problem. His young son Karl refuses to return to school and, instead, wants to travel across Europe with his father. A “magic chest” comes to Mozart’s rescue, however, and helps launch father and son on a journey back in time to when Mozart traveled and played music as a boy. Along the way, Mozart tells the story of his new opera, The Magic Flute, and soon he and Karl find themselves caught up in a tale of monsters, sorcerers, and magnificent music!
The Man Behind the StoryThough he may seem too good to be true when you meet him on stage, Mozart was very real. He was born in Salzburg, Austria, in 1756,
and was a child prodigy (a young person with extraordinary ability) who could play the piano like a professional by age four. Thanks to his amazing musical gifts, young Mozart really did perform all over
Europe, meeting kings, queens, and even the pope (the head of the Roman Catholic Church).
Mozart also began writing music by age five…and never really stopped. Throughout his life, he wrote everything from music for just a few instruments to pieces for an entire orchestra to huge works with singers called operas (OP-er-uhz). Many people believe Mozart to be one of the greatest classical music composers (people who write music) who ever lived.
Music, magic, and… monsters? Anything is possible when you spend an afternoon with a famous composer.
About the PerformanceDuring the performance, the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) will perform Mozart’s music and two actors will perform a story based on true events in Mozart’s life. Though they will most often appear as Mozart and Karl, the actors will also play other roles, including Karl’s Grandpa Leopold and characters from Mozart’s opera. To let you know when they have switched characters, the actors will wear different hats.
A Composer and His Son
What to Expect at the Magical OperaNever seen an opera before? Have no fear! An opera is simply a story told in song—instead of speaking, the characters will sing. At today’s performance, you’ll see and hear a special retelling of Mozart’s The Magic Flute, a fairy tale about Prince Tamino (tah-MEE-noh), his trusty half-man-half-bird sidekick Papageno (pah-pah-GAY-noh), and his true love Pamina (pah-MEE-nah).
Photo by Andrew Tudman
A magic chest helps Mozart and Karl on their journey.
Actors pictured: Elic Bramlett as Wolfgang and Andrew Redlawsk as Karl, with the Fresno Philharmonic
Listen for… n music that’s slow and steady or fast
and exciting
n instruments you might recognize (like the violin and piano) and some you might not, like Papageno’s “box of bells,” which is really an instrument called the glockenspiel (a set of metal bars played with small hammers)
n music that sounds like or makes you think of something other than just notes (for example, a bird call, raindrops, or magic spells)
n music that uses the entire orchestra and music that’s just for a few instruments
Music, magic, and… monsters? Anything is possible when you spend an afternoon with a famous composer.
Mozart’s Greatest HitsDuring the performance, you’ll hear some of Mozart’s most famous music—including some tunes you already know. Listen for how Mozart creates different versions—called “variations”—of “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” by changing its notes and rhythms (the beats you clap along to). You’ll probably recognize other music performed by the orchestra, too, because Mozart’s music is still played around the world and can be heard at the movies, on television, or on cell phone ringtones.
75 Musicians Led by One Conductor At today’s concert, conductor Ankush Kumar Bahl will lead approximately 75 members of the National Symphony Orchestra in playing the music.
The conductor is a person who leads the orchestra. Conductors generally use their right hand to tell the orchestra how fast to play and use their left hand to tell the musicians how loud or soft to play. Some use a slender white stick called a baton as they conduct. At the concert, watch how the conductor communicates with the musicians.
Musical Instrument “Petting Zoo”One hour before the concert, enjoy hands-on fun with the instruments that the musicians will play on stage in the Kennedy Center Atrium. A project of the Women’s Committee for the NSO.
Kids’ ChatAfter the 3 p.m. performance, stick around to ask questions of the conductor and concert artists on stage.
Upcoming Family ConcertsPlease plan to join us at next season’s NSO Family Concerts, which will be performed on the following Sundays by the full orchestra:
October 26, 2014—Halloween Spooktacular + Haunted Hall Instrument “Petting Zoos”
February 15, 2015—The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs by Steven Reineke
March 29, 2015—The Magic Horn with Magic Circle Mime Company April 26, 2015—Classical Kids Live: Gershwin’s Magic Piano
The NSO also presents full orchestra Young People’s Concerts for school groups in the Concert Hall each season during the school day for grades 3 through 6.
For more about NSO education programs, see www.kennedy-center.org/nso/programs/family
Orchestra InteractiveEnjoy an interactive exploration of orchestras, their instruments, and their music at the Perfect Pitch Web site at: artsedge.kennedy-center.org/perfectpitch
David M. RubensteinChairman
Michael M. KaiserPresident
Darrell M. AyersVice President, Education
Additional support for the NSO Family Concerts is provided by the Women’s Committee for the National Symphony Orchestra.
Additional support for Performances for Young Audiences is provided by The Clark Charitable Foundation; Kaplan, Inc.; Mr. James V. Kimsey; The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation; Park Foundation, Inc.; Paul M. Angell Family Foundation; an endowment from the Ryna and Melvin Cohen Family Foundation; U.S. Department of Education; and by generous contributors to the Abe Fortas Memorial Fund and by a major gift to the fund from the late Carolyn E. Agger, widow of Abe Fortas.
Education and related artistic programs are made possible through the generosity of the National Committee for the Performing Arts and the President’s Advisory Committee on the Arts.
Cuesheets are produced by ARTSEDGE, an education program of the Kennedy Center.
Learn more about education at the Kennedy Center at www.kennedy-center.org/education
The contents of this Cuesheet have been developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education and do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education. You should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.
© 2014 The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
www.kennedy-center.org/artsedge
Wait! There’s More!
A Good Audience…n Stays seated.n Stays quiet (unless someone on stage asks
you to sing!).n Watches and listens carefully.n Claps at the end—have fun!
The Macy’s Foundation and Washington Gas are the proud
sponsors of the NSO Family Concerts.
Listen Up!Learn more at KC Connections on ARTSEDGE
artsedge.kennedy-center.org/students/kc-connections
