Beethoven's Wig 4 – Dance Along Symphonies CD: Classical Music Made Palatable For Kids

At first glance, you might think Beethoven’s Wig 4 – Dance Along Symphonies CD ($11.99) is for parents who thought their babies would be geniuses if they were exposed to Mozart in utero. It’s actually for parents who’d like to expose their grade school children to classical music in a fun way. 

Using silly, clever lyrics set to standard dance-along symphonies, creator, lyricist, producer and lead vocalist Richard Perlmutter has made even the most droll music memorable and fun.  My 8-year old especially enjoyed "Oh, No!" set to Joplin’s Maple Leaf Rag while I loved "I Want My Diploma" set, appropriately enough, to Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1.  The producers of the album wisely provide the lyrics to the songs so unknown words can be subsequently looked up and they provide trivia in the cover notes (as in What dance did Johann Strauss Jr.  enjoy doing most?  Answer:  None.  He said he couldn’t dance.)  Also provided on the album are the instrumental performances of the symphonies so the it can be heard sans silly lyrics.  What a fun album!  What a wonderful way to listen to classical music!

Beethoven’s Wig 4 is part of a series. Also included are Beethoven’s Wig: Sing Along Symphonies, Beethoven’s Wig 2: More Sing Along Symphonies, Beethoven’s Wig 3: Many More Sing Along Symphonies, and Beethoven’s Wig: Read Along Symphonies.

For a taste of the tunes, visit beethovenswig.com.

– Linda