Back in March we went down to London. Our first port of call was The Royal Albert Hall for the Schools Classical Spectacular.
Reading and listening to Peter and the Wolf really added to Reuben and Rosanna's enjoyment of the concert. They were able to recognise many of the instruments and their sounds.
Before our trip we introduced Reuben and Rosanna to classical music through Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf. Firstly we read the book by Ian Beck. Then we listened to the music.
The Royal Albert Hall.
When The Royal Albert Hall was built the acoustics weren't very good.
It is 41 metres from the top of the dome to the floor.
The acoustics of the Hall were improved in 1969 with the addition of 135 disc shaped mushrooms filled with fibre glass wool which hang from the ceiling.
The classical spectacular combines well known pieces from the classical repertoire with fantastic laser and light displays.
The concert is performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Band of the Welsh Guards.
Blue Danube Waltz by Johann Strauss
Other pieces included Liberty Bell by Sousa, Also Sprach Zarathustra by Strauss, Bolero by Ravel and two operatic songs. The conductor pointed out things to listen for in the music, in the Bolero he pointed out the importance of the drum beat.
Last night of the Prom style
Pomp and Circumstance No 1 by Sir Edward Elgar
1812 Overture by Tchaikovsky, with cannons
and fireworks.
An amazing show that I can highly recommend and I hope we get to make a return trip next year.
Here is the link to the Royal Albert Hall educational resources
