Danse Macabre
Busy Kids Love Music
It’s time for a spooky (but silly!) musical adventure as we wrap up our 3-part series on the brilliant French composer Camille Saint-Saëns. In today’s episode of Busy Kids Love Music, we’re exploring one of Saint-Saëns’ most imaginative and well-known pieces: Danse Macabre — or “Dance of Death.” But don’t worry — while the title sounds a bit eerie, this piece is more like a playful Halloween dance party than a fright fest. With dancing skeletons, chiming midnight bells, and a dramatic story told entirely through music, Danse Macabre is the perfect mix of spooky and fun....
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Carnival of the Animals
Busy Kids Love Music
Get ready to explore a musical zoo like no other! In this episode of Busy Kids Love Music, we’re diving into one of Camille Saint-Saëns’ most imaginative and beloved works—Carnival of the Animals. This whimsical suite features 14 short movements, each representing a different animal or creature, from regal lions and squawking roosters to gliding swans and even... piano students! You’ll hear musical excerpts that bring each animal to life and learn: Why Saint-Saëns wrote Carnival of the Animals in secret What instrument represents the elephant Why The Swan was the only...
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The Life of Camille Saint-Saëns
Busy Kids Love Music
We’re kicking off a brand-new composer series—and this one’s all about the brilliant French composer Camille Saint-Saëns! 🎼 In this first episode of our 3-part series, your child will discover: What made Saint-Saëns a child prodigy His early musical education and incredible memory How travel and science inspired his compositions The tragedies and triumphs that shaped his life Why his music stood apart from others in his time Plus! This episode includes a to make listening extra interactive and fun. Can your child catch how old Saint-Saëns was at his first...
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Folk Music of Tahiti
Busy Kids Love Music
Welcome to the final stop on our Around the World with Busy Kids Love Music summer series! In this episode, we journey to the breathtaking island of Tahiti, the largest island in French Polynesia, where folk music and dance are central to cultural life. From the energetic rhythms of the ʻoteʻa dance to the booming beats of the toʻere and pahu drums, Tahitian music is filled with movement and joy. We’ll explore the traditional instruments, musical styles, and even group choral chants like himene tarava, which blend Polynesian harmonies with European influences. You’ll also: Hear...
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Folk Music of Colombia
Busy Kids Love Music
In today’s episode of Busy Kids Love Music, we head to the vibrant country of Colombia—a place full of colorful landscapes, rich traditions, and joyful rhythms! Part of our special summer series Around the World with Busy Kids Love Music, this musical journey introduces your child to the diverse folk styles that make Colombian music so special. From the African-influenced drums of the coastal regions to the haunting melodies of Indigenous flutes and the lively accordion tunes of vallenato, we’ll explore how Colombia’s music reflects its unique blend of cultures: Indigenous, African,...
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Folk Music of South Korea
Busy Kids Love Music
Welcome back to Around the World with Busy Kids Love Music! In today’s episode, we journey to the eastern side of Asia to explore the rich folk music traditions of South Korea. From heartfelt folk songs to energetic drumming ensembles, Korean traditional music—known as gugak—is a vibrant part of the country’s culture and history. Join me as we explore: 🎶 Minyo – Traditional Korean folk songs passed down through generations 🎤 Arirang – One of Korea’s most beloved and historic songs 🎭 Pansori – Dramatic musical storytelling with a single singer and drummer 🥁 Samulnori...
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Folk Music of Ukraine
Busy Kids Love Music
In this episode of our Around the World summer series, we’re traveling to Ukraine, a country with a deep love of singing, a powerful history, and some truly fascinating folk instruments! Join me as we: Discover the meaning of folk music and why it matters. Learn about Ukraine’s journey to independence and how music has helped preserve its culture. Explore the beautiful three-part harmonies often sung a cappella by Ukrainian choirs. Hear traditional instruments like: Bandura – a harp-like instrument with up to 60 strings. Trembita – one of the world’s longest...
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Folk Music of Ethiopia
Busy Kids Love Music
Welcome to a brand new season of our summer series, Around the World with Busy Kids Love Music! Every 2 weeks this summer, we’re visiting a different country to explore its folk music traditions—and today, we’re heading to the Horn of Africa to discover the rich and unique sounds of Ethiopia! In this episode, you’ll learn: What makes Ethiopian music sound so different from Western music The special musical scales called qignit (including the Tizita scale) The fascinating traditional instruments of Ethiopia: the krar, masenqo, and washint How music is woven into...
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Taps
Busy Kids Love Music
As we approach Memorial Day in the United States, this episode honors one of the most poignant and powerful pieces of American music — Taps. Although this bugle call is only 24 notes long, it carries deep meaning and emotion, used to honor those who have served and sacrificed in the military. In this episode, you and your young listeners will: Discover the origins of Taps during the Civil War. Learn about the bugle and how it was used to signal soldiers throughout the day. Hear different performances of Taps, including from Arlington National Cemetery. Reflect on how a simple melody...
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May Flowers
Busy Kids Love Music
Welcome back to Busy Kids Love Music! In today’s episode, we’re celebrating the blossoming beauty of spring with classical music inspired by flowers! This episode is the perfect follow-up to our April Showers adventure, and it’s all about music that captures the feeling of blooming gardens, delicate petals, and peaceful springtime scenes. 🌸 Here’s what we’re listening to today: Waltz of the Flowers by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky – A graceful dance from The Nutcracker ballet that brings a garden of twirling flowers to life. Voices of Spring (Frühlingsstimmen) by Johann Strauss...
info_outlineWelcome to Busy Kids Love Music, the podcast for busy families and kids who love music and want to learn more about their favorite composers, instruments, and styles of music. I'm your host, Carly Seifert, the creator of Busy Kids Do Piano, and today we are kicking off a special 3-part series on the life and music of the great composer, Gustav Holst.
In this first episode, we’ll explore Holst's family life, his early interest in music, his musical training, and some of the unique characteristics that make his compositions stand out.
Episode Highlights:
- Early Life and Family Background: Gustav Holst was born on September 21, 1874, in Cheltenham, England, into a musical family. His father, Adolph von Holst, was a professional musician, and his mother, Clara, was a singer and pianist. Sadly, Clara passed away when Gustav was just eight years old.
- Musical Training: Holst received his first piano lessons from his father and also learned to play the violin and trombone. Despite health issues such as severe asthma, neuritis, and eyesight problems, Holst's passion for music never waned. He began composing at the age of twelve.
- Royal College of Music: Holst faced initial rejection but eventually gained admission to the Royal College of Music in London in 1893. There, he studied composition with Sir Charles Villiers Stanford and formed a lifelong friendship with fellow composer Ralph Vaughan Williams.
- Family Life: In 1901, Holst married Isobel Harrison, a soprano and former student. They had a daughter, Imogen Holst, who became a respected composer, conductor, and musicologist. The Holst family was close-knit, providing Gustav with inspiration and support.
- Musical Influences and Style: Holst incorporated various influences into his compositions, including English folk music and Indian music. His innovative harmonies and complex rhythms gave his music a distinctive sound. He was also interested in astrology, which inspired his famous suite, "The Planets."
I hope you enjoy learning about the life of Gustav Holst. In our next episode, we’ll dive deeper into some of his most famous works, including "The Planets." Be sure to tune in and discover the magic of Holst’s music.
Musical Samples You'll Hear in this Episode:
Gustav Holst - Two Pieces for Piano, H. 179 (1930-32)
Playlist for Episode 130
I've curated a playlist on YouTube of the pieces you heard in today's episode as well as additional famous works by Gustav Holst. Check it out here.
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