The Baby Einstein Playtime Music Box-A Concert For Little Ears is the latest in the Baby Einstein series of albums for little children, which feature classical and well-known melodies, arranged for "little ears."
In this case, the arrangements are for the Baby Einstein Music Box Orchestra, which includes keyboard, piano, bassoon, guitar, drums and vocals. The repertoire consists mostly of popular classics, such as Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake" and Chopin's "Minute Waltz," interspersed with ditties like "Old MacDonald Had A Farm" and "Jack & Jill."
Aside from shortening these pieces to an average of two minutes long, there's really no compelling reason to rearrange them. But, it turns out, there's a logic and a rhyme and reason to the order and tone of this very amusing set which, if nothing else, will introduce kids to some of the most memorable melodies of all time.
The opener, for example, is Bizet's dramatic "Carmen Suite," reduced to a two-minute medley that's attention grabbing in its use of snazzy cymbals (and, we should note, the theme to "Toreador" is played on bassoon, a nice touch).
There is, in fact, plenty of drama in this collection. Rossini's "William Tell Overture," for example, is guaranteed to get the kids going with its bugle call and its evocation of galloping horses (if you recall, this was used as the theme of the Lone Ranger).
When drama rises to a feverish pitch, as it does here, things get toned down with a short verse: "Humpty Dumpty" and "Jack & Jill," among others. Most notable is "Hey Diddle Diddle," recited over a vivid accompaniment that illustrates the verse, from fiddle to jumping over the moon.
Aside from the endearing quality of these arrangements -- they finally grow on you -- there's more than a touch of cleverness. At one point, for example, farm life is explored in all its facets: through Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake," then with a rendition of "Old MacDonald," followed by Schumann's "Happy Farmer," and finally, ending with "Farmer In The Dell," sung by a children's choir punctuated with farm sounds.
So, take your pick of your favorite classic. My personal choices is Ponicelli's gentile "Dance of The Hours," and the grand finale, Strauss' much-beloved "Voices of Spring," which switches to double time for dramatic ending flair.
Your kid will be either sleeping or completely wound up after this listen. If so, just play it again.
By Leila Cobo
