What pieces of classical music include the mandolin? Join Melissa Dundis and listen to classical music played on the mandolin, on this episode of YourClassical Adventures.

Antonio Vivaldi: Mandolin Concerto— The mandolin was popular in this kind of music, by baroque composer Antonio Vivaldi.

Bela Bartok: Romanian Folk Dances— Can you imagine dancing around to this classical/folk piece?

Edgar Meyer and Chris Thile: Why Only One — Here the mandolin is playing a duet with an upright bass.

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What holidays are celebrated with fireworks? The New Year and of course, the Fourth of July. Join Melissa Dundis and listen to classical music inspired by fireworks on this episode of YourClassical Adventures.

Claude Debussy: Feux d’artifice— This piece was written to sound like a bunch of fireworks going off.

George Fredrich Handel: Music for the Royal Fireworks — This piece was written for at the end of a war, to celebrate peace in London.

Peter Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture - Finale — This piece features a cannon balls that kind of sound like fireworks.

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This is one of the most important composers in England during the 20th century.

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor: The Song of Hiawatha Overture— This piece was inspired by a poem called written by the man he was named after. It’s about the adventures of two fictional characters, a native American warrior named Hiawatha.

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor: Dance No. 1 from Four African Dances — This is music he

based off old African dance tunes and spirituals. It’s a dance from his Four African Dances.

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor: Ballade in A minor — This was one of his first pieces to give him

international fame, and was what made people call him a “genius”.

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The Bassoon is a large, low sounding instrument. It’s so big that players must sit down while playing.

Camille Saint-Saens: Bassoon Sonata— Like the other woodwinds, the body of the instrument like a long tube. So long, that the player must sit down when performing.Listen to the bassoon and piano play this sonata by Camille Saint-Saëns. How would you describe the sound?

Gordon Jacob: Afternoon with a Dinosaur — What do you think the basoon and the music sound like in this piece?

Paul Dukas: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice — This is one of the most famous pieces to feature the bassoon. Have you seen the Disney classic, Fantasia?

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How many pieces do you know about water? How about Row, Row, Row Your Boat? Enjoy this playlist of classical music that sounds like water and waves.

Claude Debussy: On a Boat — Can you hear the waves gently flowing back and forth, or hear them rocking up against a boat?

Franz Schubert: Music from the “Trout” Quintet — Can you imagine fish and wildlife jumping in and out of water in this piece?

Richard Wagner: Overture to The Flying Dutchman — This piece is about a sea captain that runs into a terrible storm while out sailing.

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Enjoy listening to music inspired by the sun.

George Harrison: Here Comes the Sun — This is a famous song performed by The Beatles. It was written at sunrise by guitarist George Harrison.

Ferde Grofe: Sunrise from The Grand Canyon Suite — Can you imagine the sun coming up over the red rocks of the Grand Canyon?

Max Richter: On the Nature of Daylight — This piece is about all the different phases of the sun seen throughout the day.

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The first day of school can be overwhelming with new friends, new places and new experiences. Especially, if you are a very special kitty. Enjoy the latest YourClassical Storytime episode 'Clover Kitty Goes to Kittygarten,' by Laura Purdie Salas, illustrated by Hiroe Nakata.

Enjoy learning about the repeating rondo.

Mozart: Rondo Alla Turca — Rondos are often played at a fast and lively pace. As you listen, can you hear the repeating melody in this famous rondo by Mozart?

Franz Joseph Haydn: Rondo from Piano Sonata No. 58 — Haydn was a friend of Mozart who also wrote music in a similar style.

Johann Sebastian Bach: Gavotte en Rondeau from Violin Partita No. 3 — The repeating rondo can vary a little bit, each time it repeats.

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Listen to the exciting sounds of the musical form called a scherzo.

Leigh Harlen: When You Wish Upon a Star —Have you ever gazed at the stars and made a wish? This song can help you daydream.

Gustav Holst: Jupiter from The Planets — Isn’t fun to dream about outer space?

Sergei Prokofiev: “Classical” Symphony No. 1 - Prokofiev loved dreaming up new ways to write classical symphonies.

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Listen to the exciting sounds of the musical form called a scherzo.

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov: Concerto for Trombone—The slide on the trombone moves very quickly back and forth to make shorter and faster notes.

Maurice Ravel: Bolero — In this piece the trombone slides to create the sound of a glissando.

Richard Wagner: Ride of the Valkyries — The trombones create a dark, stormy night at sea.

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