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5 pieces of classical music for kids
Wed 16 Oct, 2024
Want to introduce your children to orchestral music but not sure where to begin? Here are five great pieces of classical music for children to get you started, guaranteed to inspire and entertain children of any age (and their grownups!)
1. Peter and the Wolf
(composed by Sergei Prokofiev)
In this 30-minute musical tale, a brave little boy called Peter sets out to catch a big, scary wolf. A narrator tells the story, and the orchestra uses different instruments to bring each character to life, from the bickering bird and duck, to the mischievous cat, the grumpy grandfather and, of course, eventually the menacing wolf! Will Peter, with the help of his animal friends, catch the wolf and save the day? Children will love the gruesome ending, when the duck can still bel heard quacking inside the wolf’s stomach after being swallowed whole!
2. A Night on the Bare Mountain
(composed by Modest Mussorgsky)
This 10-minute piece of music tells a spooky story! Imagine a mountain where, on a dark, stormy night, witches and goblins come out to have a wild party. The music starts off fast and loud, making it sound like they’re flying around and casting spells. But don’t worry – the fun is interrupted by the sound of church bells, which calm everything down. By the end of the piece, the sun rises, and all the spooky creatures disappear, leaving the mountain peaceful and quiet. It’s like a musical Halloween adventure!
3. The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
(composed by Paul Dukas)
Made famous by the Disney film Fantasia, this is an exciting and magical piece of music. Lasting around 10 minutes, the story follows a young apprentice who tries to use his master’s magic to make his chores easier. He enchants a broom to fetch water, but things quickly spiral out of control when the broom won’t stop. The apprentice’s fun turns into a chaotic adventure as the water floods the workshop. Will he be able to fix his magical mishap in time?
4. Flight of the Bumblebee
(composed by Nikolai Rimsky–Korsakov)
This is a super speedy and exciting piece of music. Imagine a bumblebee zipping around really fast, buzzing and darting from flower to flower. That’s what this music sounds like! It’s very quick and full of energy, just like a bumblebee flying around in a hurry. It’s only just over a minute long, but you won’t believe how many notes the musicians can fit in!
5. ‘The Swan’ from The Carnival of the Animals
(composed by Camille Saint–Saëns)
Saint–Saëns’s Carnival of the Animals is like going to a parade where animals come to life and show off their special dances and tricks. There are 13 different animals, from the majestic lion to playful kangaroos and wise tortoises. ‘The Swan’ is one of the most famous sections of the work – it’s a lyrical and graceful cello solo that paints a beautiful musical picture of a swan gliding across a calm lake. At just three minutes long, it’s perfect for taking a break and relaxing with some deep, calm breaths.
Inspired to come and hear an orchestra live?
The London Philharmonic Orchestra’s ‘FUNharmonics’ family concerts are the perfect way to introduce the joy of classical music to the whole family.
Concerts start at 12 noon, are one hour long, and are especially designed for children. Each concert is fast-paced and includes a presenter on stage, who breaks down the music or tells a story to keep our youngest audience members engaged and enthralled. There is also a big screen showing images projected behind the Orchestra, and always plenty of audience participation to get everyone joining in!