Ultimate Free Guide to Tchaikovsky For Your Baby
This post is revised to include the link to the “Waltz” movement from the Serenade for Strings by Tchaikovsky.
This Ultimate Free Guide to Tchaikovsky for Parents and Babies is the second post in a series about composers.
We explored Mozart in the first post in this series. He was the obvious choice because his Eine Kleine Nachtmusik is the first piece that babies listen to in the Suzuki Early Childhood Education (SECE) Baby Class.
In the future, will explore more composers’ music that babies listen to in Baby Class. We will also learn about other composers. We will especially learn about the composers’ music found in the Suzuki Instrumental Repertoire.
Why Are These Guides Called “Ultimate”?
These posts are called “ultimate guide” because you are busy parents. You don’t have time for Music History 101! But, you may be curious about who wrote some of that beautiful classical music.
So, each post in the series will introduce a different composer that you should know.
Next, there will be one listening recommendation from the composer’s compositions.
Then, there will be a suggested book about the composer.
Goals of the Ultimate Free Guide to Composers
The goal of this Ultimate Free Guide to Composers is to keep it short and simple. First, the guides will begin with a brief biography of the composer.
I promise it will be short: when the composer was born, the MOST important things about his/her life, and when they died.
Next, the listening recommendation will be only one piece of music written by the composer. This is an effort to keep this activity short. Then, you can use it as a springboard for finding more music by the same composer.
Finally, there will be a suggestion for a book to read about the composer. If there is not one available, another title from the Suzuki ECE book list will be substituted.
How to Use the Ultimate Free Guide to Composers
Once again, the goal for this Guide to Composers activity is to keep it short and simple. You can also begin fairly quickly.
The bio of the composer will be in the post itself. You can read that information to find out about the composer and when they lived.
Next, the music selection may be included as as a link in the post. It can also be downloaded from Amazon, iTunes, etc. That way, you and your baby can start listening to the music right away.
Finally, there are a variety of ways to get the suggested book. It may be available at your library.
The book is most likely on Amazon as well. Sometimes, you may find a link to a website that sells the book.
In this time of pandemic, I would urge you to buy the books at your local bookstore, if possible. They can really use our support right now.
Yes, there is some expense involved. However, please think of these purchases as part of you baby’s education. You will be nurturing you baby’s heart and mind as well as your own.
Research shows that music and reading are so vital to the growth of your baby’s brain. They also have other tremendous effects on your baby’s life as they grow.
So, now you can start the activities in the Ultimate Free Guide to Tchaikovsky!
Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
- Born May 7, 1840 in Votkinsk, Russia
- Other than a few years of piano lessons, he did not seriously study music until age 22 when he entered the musical conservatory in St. Petersburg, Russia to study composition and orchestration.
- When he graduated, he moved to Moscow where he taught music theory at the Moscow Conservatory
- Wrote Symphony No. 1 in 1868 and would compose five more symphonies
- Wrote his first opera in 1869
- He wrote the music for three ballets: Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and Sleeping Beauty
- Composed three concertos: Concerto No. 1 for Piano, Concerto in D Major for Violin, and Variations on a Rocco Theme for Cello
- In 1878, a wealthy widow, Madame von Meck, supported him for thirteen years upon the condition that they never meet.
- This enabled him to travel to the musical capitals of Europe and compose full-time
- From 1888 to 1893, he spent his time conducting orchestra concerts in Europe and America
- Conducted his famous 1812 Overture for Orchestra at the grand opening of Carnegie Hall in New York City in 1891
- Died on November 6, 1893 during a cholera epidemic in St Petersburg
Tchaikovsky’s Music
As a violinist, it was hard for me to NOT choose the violin concerto! But, I needed to choose music appropriate for infants and toddlers. So I chose Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings in C Major, Opus 48 composed in 1880.
It is pure Tchaikovsky as far as melody, harmony, and emotions. But it does not have the wondering tonalities and thick sound of his works for full orchestra.
You will be listening to the “Waltz” movement from the Serenade. It is about four minutes long. However, your baby will get the most benefit from repeated listening.
Keep in mind that babies don’t tire of repetition the way adults do. Use this link to listen to the “Waltz”:
Ultimate Free Guide to Tchaikovsky “Bonus Activity”
For this activity, you will need:
- 1 or 2 lightweight scarves
- enough room to dance around with your child
While listening to “Waltz”, hold your baby, dance around and wave the scarf with your little one. If your child is a toddler, they may have their own scarf and dance.
Don’t be afraid to move around. Be free and expressive. Your baby will “catch” that joy!
They will really tune into moving with you. The plus for you is: consider this your aerobic workout for the day!
Your child will be developing motor skills when they begin to do this activity on their own. Together, you and your child are developing musical skills, listening skills, and strengthening the bond between you.
All these things are happening in one simple activity. The best part is that it is enjoyable and only takes a few minutes.
Read About Tchaikovsky’s Ballet “The Nutcracker”
Most children’s books about composers are typically written for a third grade reading level or higher. But, I have been searching out board books about composers specifically written for babies.
There are a few out there. Then, I discovered a website called JamJam Books. Believe it or not, they specifically write and publish board books about composers and music!
For the book selection in this guide, I chose “My First Nutcracker”. The music from Tchaikovsky’s ballet, “The Nutcracker”, is probably his best known work.
Your little one will enjoy the delightful illustrations in these books. Also, each musical clip in the books is 20-40 seconds long. This is just right for your baby’s attention span.
The incredible part is that the publishers have licensed the musical clips from major orchestras around the world. Hence, the sound quality is far better than the typical synthesizer/midi audio of many “sound” books.
Check out JamJam Books. Have a look at their selections. Order My First Nutcracker to add to your baby’s library. You can use the following link: jamjambooks.com.
Enjoying the Ultimate Guide to Tchaikovsky
I sincerely hope that this Ultimate Guide to Tchaikovsky will help you bring the joy of Tchaikovsky”s music into your home. Play the “Waltz” from Serenade for Strings many times everyday. Read My First Nutcracker everyday as well.
Keep the few biographical facts you learned about Tchaikovsky in the back of you mind. Then, when your child is old enough to understand, you can share the information with them.
They will already be very familiar with Tchaikovsky’s music and life. You can then read and explore more about his life as they grow.
If you and your baby enjoyed the Tchaikovsky “Bonus Activity”, you then may be interested in finding Suzuki ECE Baby Class in your area.
On the “Beautiful Heart Musical Journey” with you,
Susan
Comments and Share
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