Looking Back on the Week

This week I listened to an interesting Schole Sister's podcast on leading our children through encounters with viewpoints with which we don’t agree. This is definitely something I've had to grow into over time. When my children were little my concern was mostly about shielding them from  potentially harmful ideas and situations, but as the conversation on this podcast pointed out, there's a difference between innocence and naiveté, and it's important to prepare our children for these opposing viewpoints.

Moozle has been reading the Tom Swift Jr. books by Victor Appleton II. They're out of print but you can read about them here and they're available secondhand.  They're also online at Gutenberg.
A young person's introduction to science fiction, rather than being great literature, this series is interesting for children who have a science bent as Tom dreams up some very interesting inventions. In fact, one of the books, 'Tom Swift and His Electric Rifle,' inspired the physicist and inventor, Jack Cover:

Cover named his invention from a story by the science-fiction writer Victor Appleton that he had loved as a child, called “Tom Swift and his Electric Rifle”, about a boy who invented a rifle that fired bolts of electricity. The acronym TSER however was too much of a mouthful; so Cover added an “a” and the Taser was born.

The Independent, 2009 

A few months ago she lapped up G.K. Chesterton's Father Brown books so I decided that this one, by the creator of Winnie the Pooh, would be a good follow up now that she's caught the 'crime bug.'

The Red House Mystery by A.A. Milne was published in 1922 and the author dedicated the book to his father: 

Like all really nice people, you have a weakness for detective
   stories, and feel that there are not enough of them. So, after
   all that you have done for me, the least that I can do for you
   is to write you one. Here it is: with more gratitude and
   affection than I can well put down here.

I stumbled upon it at the library about ten years ago and then found it online and downloaded it onto kindle for free but the only free version I've found when I had a look recently was at Gutenberg.

It's a good introduction to the genre for a young person who isn't ready for writers such as Agatha Christie but who enjoys a bit of mystery and detection.

A poetic narration on The Hobbit:

Benj is busy preparing for possibly his last piano exam which takes place next week. Between this and his two days a week at Augustine Academy, and one half day at his part-time job, he's only been joining us for Devotions, Shakespeare's King Lear and Plutarch's Life of Marcus Cato the Censor.

Aussie Folksongs - this is one we've been listening to. The song is based on the 1897 poem, 'The Lights of Cobb & Co' by Henry Lawson. The poem and some information about Cobb & Co are on this blog and also here.





This is one of a series of CD's that introduces the music and lives of some of the great composers. We've listened to the Classical Kids series (Beethoven Lives Upstairs etc) in the past, which are ok for younger children, but this series is better if older children are also listening in. The story is told in the third person, sticks to the facts, and contains a good selection of the artist's music.

Linking up with Weekly Wrap-up.

Beauty in the Homeschool

'Beauty will save the world.'

 Fyodor Dostoevsky

We listened to an inspiring and refreshing message a few weeks ago on Beauty. I've been thinking about it ever since and this week it was in relation to the small moments in our day when we allow the loveliness of music to flow into our lives.
I was very fortunate to have a dad who always sang - folksongs mainly, and it's been something I wanted to give my children as part of their heritage, but I always thought it was just my little quirk; a way to pass on something personal.
Classical music was in a different category in my mind. Perhaps because it was described as  'classical' it seemed a more valid inclusion in our homeschool week. But I didn't have a personal link to classical music. My exposure to it was virtually nil when I was growing up but I was aware that I had a deficit and I set out to repair it.
When I came across Ambleside Online and saw that Folksongs were part of the curriculum, a cultural heritage which has a beauty of its own and should be passed on to the next generation, I began to see my little passion differently and allowed myself to give it a place of importance in our days. Not to feel that it was taking up space that should be filled with something more important.

I've taught my children all the Scottish songs that were part of my heritage, and the songs of Australia as well as those of other nations. They really are a door of discovery into the life and history of a country.

This week we've been enjoying a new folksong, 'Over the Hills & Far Away,' sung by John Tams. It has been adapted from a traditional English song written in the late 1600's and used as the theme song for a British mini-series of the Napoleonic Wars, 'Sharpe.' The series is based upon books by Bernard Cornwall. I haven't seen the series but I love the song!

O'er the hills and o'er the main
Through Flanders, Portugal and Spain.
King George commands and we obey
Over the hills and far away.

We've spent a couple of months listening to the music of Anton Dvorak and this week I read aloud some excerpts of his life from The Gift of Music by Smith & Carlson.
Dvorak (1841-1904) was born in what was Czechoslovakia at the time, and is credited as being one of the most human and loveable of the great composers. His music rose up from the wellspring of his Czech identity and in later years when the country of Czechoslovakia was overrun by Communist Russia, his music enabled the true spirit of the people to rise above the oppression they were under.

We were reading about his hard work and perseverance in his attempts at composition and how he kept himself warm by burning his early compositions which he wasn't happy with in his stove.
This sentence made me smile as I've been going through Dawn's ebook on Charlotte Mason's motto, 'I Am, I Can, I Ought, I Will' with Moozle:

"If I ought, I can" might well have been the motto of Dvorak, and he had a firm, inner conviction that he would eventually succeed as a composer. Dvorak was a hard worker and determined to overcome.

We've been listening to his music each day and these are some favourites:





















How we fit this aspect of Beauty into our week:

Know the why - see the AO link above on Folksongs and also this short article from the University of Florida. And - 8 Reasons You Should Listen More to Classical Music.


I've used CD's especially of folksongs if I have them. The library can be a good place to find folksongs of various nations.

I have a playlist on an iPad in the kitchen and Moozle listens when she's emptying the dishwasher in the morning.

I play them when we're making lunch.

Benj has them on his computer & he often listens while he's doing copy work or writing in his commonplace book.

I link the folksong to the history we are covering if I find something suitable.

Old Town Square, Prague, Czech Republic, 2015

No matter what nation dominated them, the saving factor for the future of Czech music and dance was that the country remained obstinately Czech, and they kept in their hands a torch by which Smetana and, after him, Dvorak lighted fires that the whole world could see.

The Gift of Music

Psalm 27

One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after;
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of the Lord...

Linking up with Weekly Wrap-up

Our Spanish Composers Study

“Music fulfills an important educational function because, above all, it cultivates the spirit.” - See more at: http://www.joaquin-rodrigo.com/index.php/en/para-ninos-menu-principal#sthash.Hz7dT9sM.dpuf

 “Music fulfills an important educational function because, above all, it cultivates the spirit.” 

Joaquin Rodrigo

“Music fulfills an important educational function because, above all, it cultivates the spirit.” - See more at: http://www.joaquin-rodrigo.com/index.php/en/para-ninos-menu-principal#sthash.Hz7dT9sM.dpuf

We've spent the past couple of months focusing on Spanish composers for composer study. A list of five famous Spanish composers with short biographies of each is here. This website, 52 Composers, also has some very helpful  information.
We concentrated on the compositions below and compared arrangements in which the guitar was the main instrument with other versions.

Recuerdos de la Alhambra by Francisco Tarrega- lovely!




Knowing that Joaquin Rodrigo was blind from the age of three after a diphtheria infection gave us a great respect for his talent and what he achieved in his lifetime. We can tend to see people and their achievements in isolation but knowing some of their struggles and handicaps enhances our appreciation of their accomplishments.The two pieces below are his most well-known compositions.





A short extract of the above played on the harp:








Isaac Albeniz was a composer and virtuoso pianist who had a huge influence on Spanish music. The first video below is guitar only and the second is an orchestral version.




Orchestral Version: - a good motivational theme to have going in the background when you're doing serious house cleaning. I go up a gear when I hear this.





I almost passed by Manuel de Falla but I had a quick look to see what I could find and came across this piece which I recognised.






I include this cello version for Moozle because that is the instrument she plays.





The Piano Society has some free recordings of piano compositions written by another famous Spanish composer, Enrique Granados as well as a short biography.

Update: a couple of favourite pieces by Granados. The picture isn't the best on the second video but the only other choice was worse.

 Intermezzo from the "Goyescas," Granados' piano suite based on the artist Goya's paintings; played on cello with guitar accompaniment:





This is exquisite - violin and piano:

Hildegard's Gift by Megan Hoyt

Hildegard of Bingen (Germany) lived around 1098-1179 A.D. and possessed all the attributes that would have earned her the title of a Renaissance woman had she been born two centuries later.

A few months ago I noticed that Ambleside Online had scheduled her as a composer to be studied later this year and my interest was piqued. I had heard of her years ago but had no idea of her influence and the breadth of her abilities, let alone listened to any of her musical compositions.

A contemporary of Bernard of Clairvaux, she joined the ranks of such luminaries as Augustine, Bede the Venerable and Athanasius, when she was made a Doctor of the Church in 2012.

An online search gave me an indication of the interest generated by her life and work. From university studies and articles from diverse Christian persuasions, to recordings of her compositions by contemporary artists, I found a good amount of information for adults, but nothing for a younger audience.

And then along came this book:

Hildegard's Gift by Megan Hoyt

Hildegard's Gift gives us an insight into the life and times of Hildegard of Bingen, starting with her childhood and her struggle with the gifts she had been given and their expression. The story follows her journey as she enters the Abbey, meets with Bernard of Clairvaux, accepts the call of God on her life and eventually gives voice to her gifts. Hildegard called herself, 'a feather on the breath of God,' and dedicated her life to God and serving others.

This delightful book has 28 pages, and is attractively illustrated by David Hill. It is written for 5 to 10 year olds but the author's inclusion of a number of quotes from Hildegard herself opens the book up to a wider age range, adding depth without over-complicating the story. I think the book would enhance any study of mediaeval times or church music for children.

'There is the music of Heaven in all things, and we have forgotten how to hear it until we sing.' 

I appreciated the author's intent and belief that every child is God's workmanship created to do good works and each person has a gift to be put to use. Some gifts come wrapped up, as Hildegard experienced, and have to be sought out, and as in her case, may involve a commitment from others to help unwrap that gift. I think this book helps us to see and appreciate the role that we can play in this unwrapping, and the possibility that our role in this area might also extend beyond our own children.

Information on Megan Hoyt and her personal story which inspired her to write this book can be found on her website. It also contains examples of music and paintings by Hildegard, spelt recipes (Hildegard was also interested in health!) and printable colouring pages by the illustrator.

Hildegard's music has found a more recent voice through performances and recordings by groups such as Sequentia, an innovative ensemble for medieval music, and Elfthenthal (see video below), an early music ensemble based in Germany.

The Ambleside Online composer's page has a list of recommended listening and links to you-tube videos of her compositions.

Other websites that I thought were helpful are:

A well written historical aspect:  The Freelance History Writer 

Historical sites related to Hildegard of Bingen.

An article written from an Anglican perspective.
Another from the Christian Worldview Journal.

I was kindly given a free copy of Hildegard's Gift by Paraclete Press for the purpose of this review.