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lapazfarm
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| Posted: May 16 2012 at 5:56pm | IP Logged
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Does anyone have experience with either Lives of the Musicians: Good times, bad times (and what the Neighbors thought) or Lives of the Artists: masterpices, messes (and what the neighbors thought) , which are both by Kathleen Krull?
I came across them recently and they look pretty good to me, but I've only seen the previews, not the real thing.
Any thoughts?
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Theresa
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JennGM
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| Posted: May 16 2012 at 6:20pm | IP Logged
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I looked them over and asked around about her books elsewhere. The feedback was that they are written well, but she doesn't hold back on giving all details, such as extramarital affairs or same-gender tendencies.
My rule of thumb in evaluating composers' biographies is to check out Tchaikovsky's bio. If they include he had those tendencies, the book is out for me. It's theoretical, not fact, and totally unnecessary for a child to read.
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Betsy
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My understanding of the books have been the same as Jen's.
I have had these books in my wish list for years. I have heard exerpts from the book on our Classical Radio station and they have been very nice and informative. However, I am not sure that I could ever just let my younger dc read these on their own without a proper discussion of some of them. 
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SeaStar
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I have both.... when I read aloud I screen as necessary. I like them: the composers and artists were real people, and these books present them that way. I think teens could read and discuss; little ones probably need some screening.
But they are fun and definitely present the info in a lively way.
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stellamaris
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I'd like to mention a book that is really geared to older students, but would also make a good spine for a study of the history of music and composers for middle grades and up. I think even the upper elementary ages could get a lot out of it. I haven't used it myself yet, as my parents just passed it on to me this last year, but I am thinking of using it in 6th grade along with a few CD's that illustrate the composers Mrs. Whitcomb highlights. It is Young People's Story of Music by Ida Prentiss Whitcomb, published in 1908. The link takes you to a free online text. It has also been reprinted in paperback form.
This book is really a history of music up to about 1880. Russian composers Rubinstein, Tschaikowsky, and Korsokoff are barely mentioned at the end. However, it discusses the history of composition from Eqyptian times through Wagner with fantastic discussions of early church musicians. Here's an excerpt from the section on early church music, discussing St. Ignatius of Antioch:
Quote:
We have wandered through the musical mythology of Greece, and we now linger for a little among early saintly tradition wherever we find that it is touched by music. It contains stories of uncertain birth; some have been spoken, some written, and others sung through all the worshipping ages and with a kind of ideal faith.
We will not take from the charm of these, but recall them just as they have come down to us; for through these visions of sunlight and shadow, we catch many a glimpse of early Christian music.
And first there is the tradition of the martyr, St. Ignatius of Antioch. He was a disciple of St. John and it is said that as a child he had seen the Lord. He passed a beautiful youth, and his life was one of such perfect purity that he was allowed to have a vision of the angels, and also to listen to their celestial music. And with rapturous delight he saw the heavens opened and listened to the angelic choir responding one to another.
Later, when he became Bishop of Antioch, in memory of his wonderful vision, he introduced responsive singing into his own church. So that antiphonal music, which doubtless owes its real origin to the service in the Jewish Temple, has always been specially associated with the vision of St. Ignatius." |
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And here's an excerpt from the chapter on Bach's life:
Quote:
Christopher [J.S. Bach's older brother] had a good musical library for his day, and it was kept in a fascinating cupboard with a latticed door. He kept the key in his pocket, and on rare occasions exhibited his treasures to his young brother. In time the boy tired of his exercises, and his longing grew to study from a rare old book of manuscripts which the cupboard contained. The temptation grew until one night, when the family was sleeping, he stole to the cupboard, and climbing up, either picked the lock or dragged the book through the latticed door. Then, on moonlight nights, for Johann dared not burn a candle, he sat on the deep ledge of his window and copied the precious score.
What a picture! The quaint room--the moonlight illuminating the manuscript pages, and an eager little German boy working away with his fingers. But alas! after months of faithful writing, Christopher discovered what he had done and took away the copy on which Johann had so lovingly toiled, and his eyes never recovered from the strain. |
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There are several lovely art plates (b & w) in my 1908 copy and also several portraits of the artists as well as a few of antique instruments. Some of the composers covered are: St. Gregory the Great, Palestrina, Salvatore (Cherubini), Rossini, Bellini, Verdi, Lully, Berlioz, Handel, Bach, Gluck, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, von Weber, Schubert, Schumann, Mendelssohn, Liszt, Brahms, Wagner.
One thing I love about old books like this is that you never need to worry about any sordid details. And this book is an especially thorough and interesting treatment of the history of music.
I couldn't find much biographical information on Mrs. Whitcomb.
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CrunchyMom
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I have these books, too, and they are well written and can be screened for read alouds, but I haven't decided whether to keep them. I don't know that I want children's books around that I would not want a young reader to read on his own.
For instance, it says, "While in Florence, Leonardo was accused of heresy against the church, probably for homosexuality, for which the penalty at the time was death. He was acquitted, but after that he became more secretive than ever."
It was the first story I read from the book, and I skipped that part, but I was pretty taken aback. I actually haven't read the rest of the books because I decided I would want to pre screen and haven't had time.
Probably an interesting overview for older students, but not what I was looking for as a family read aloud.
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Lindsay
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CrunchyMom
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| Posted: May 16 2012 at 8:12pm | IP Logged
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Thanks for sharing that, Caroline. It looks like a nice resource! I love that story about Bach.
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Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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4Real Forums : The Arts in the Everyday
Topic: Lives of musicians and artists
