Bach's Goldberg Variations (Once Upon A Masterpiece) Read Free Books and Download eBooks
Johann Sebastian Bach created some of the most significant music in history, including A Keyboard Practice Consisting of an Aria with Thirty Variations for the Harpsichord—commonly known as the Goldberg Variations. Goldberg is Johann Gottlieb Goldberg, a young musician in the court of Count Keyserlingk, a Russian ambassador living in Dresden. It isn’t known for certain why Bach’s difficult composition was named for the young man, but Anna Harwell Celenza gives us one possible story based on extensive research.
Series: Once Upon a Masterpiece
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Charlesbridge (October 18, 2016)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1580895298
ISBN-13: 978-1580895293
Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 0.3 x 9.4 inches
Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #602,524 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #36 in Books > Children's Books > Arts, Music & Photography > Music > Classical #41 in Books > Children's Books > Arts, Music & Photography > Music > History #146 in Books > Children's Books > Biographies > Musical
Age Range: 6 - 9 years
Grade Level: 1 - 4
The legendary-like story behind Bach's immortal "Goldberg Variations" is told accompanied with fancy, often baroque-like illustrations with golden touches. The musically-talented orphan Johann Gottlieb Goldberg was taken in by a German Count. The Count directs him to play something new for him each week; and then later calls on him to do a "piece filled with dances and difficult runs...canons and something quite new...[and] a surprise that will trick me." To meet this demanding challenge, Johann has to turn to his mentor Bach, whose composition in answer to the Count's demand later came to be named after the orphan. The orphan Johann remains the focus of the tale, with Bach giving him musical information and guidance so that readers learn something about the technicalities and style of the "Goldberg Variations." Ages 4-7.
We have Celenza's Pictures at an Exhibition (Mussorgsky) and Farewell Symphony (Haydn), and the kids love them all. I find that this Goldberg Variations, however, lends itself better to reading WHILE the kids are listening to the CD (included) than the others do. Her Farewell Symphony makes a great story, but it is difficult to enjoy and appreciate the music at all while the story is in progress. By contrast, the Goldberg Variations themselves create a delightful backdrop to this engaging story. Warning: Don't expect to learn much about Bach himself in the course of the book; for that, turn to the Classical Kids CD "Mr. Bach Comes to Call."
My third grade music classes loved this story. The recording is high quality and the story well-written. I started with the author's note at the back of the book, as I think this helps kids understand the historical fiction genre a bit better. Great class material! The Rhapsody in Blue book is also excellent (I've used that with 6th graders) and the recording there is absolutely amazing!
The book tells the story of Bach's Goldberg Variations with the emphasis not on Bach but on a orphan who plays Bach's piece and on a count who listens to the orphan. The CD is a very helpful companion.
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