November 2009 Notable Toys — Educational

An enthralling tale of genius and unbounded creativity.  Discover the world of Mozart's time … what life was like for this brilliant musician, both personally and professionally.  His astonishingly prolific and creative works defined the Classical era of European music.  Hear Mozart's music as performed by master pianist Dennis Kobray, and watch as this historically accurate, motivational and inspirational tale unfolds.

An inspiring tale of courage and perseverance. In the wake of the French Revolution, Beethoven redefined the role of the musician from servant to artist.  His stormy and passionate music clearly mirrors both the joys and struggles of this deaf genius. Dennis Kobray portrays the essence of the man and his music with both dynamic piano performance and insight.
— Educators have praised Kobray’s live performances at schools for his musicality and ability to entertain a wide range of ages, as well as the historical context of his programs. “Holding the attention of our kindergarteners through eighth graders can be challenging,” wrote an elementary school music teacher in Bloomsbury, N.Y., “but it was obvious that everyone was captivated by your fascinating storytelling and enthusiasm for the music and messages.” Aaron Green, who reviewed the “Bach” and “Gershwin” DVDs for About.com, found them worthy of 5 of out 5 stars. He praised the high-quality production and “highly entertaining and informative” nature of the episodes. The series provides a good intro to music and history, he said; however, viewers may need to know some basic theory to grasp certain concepts.

An extraordinary story of a genius whose music helped to break down racial barriers. In 1974, audiences for the film The Sting left theaters humming the effervescent music of Scott Joplin.  A love of ragtime, revived in the mid-70s, continues to this day.  Discover what life was like for an African-American musician at the turn of the twentieth century.  Dennis Kobray portrays a friend and fan of Scott Joplin, whose Maple Leaf Rag and The Entertainer earned him the title of the "King of Ragtime."

A story of success achieved through the "fascinating rhythms" and melodies of this brilliant composer. George Gershwin was the epitome of the American success story.  The son of immigrants, this self-taught icon of music was raised on the streets of New York.  He grew up to write music that captured the American spirit.  Who among us does not recognize Rhapsody in Blue, I Got Rhythm, or Swanee?  These beloved songs are performed by Dennis Kobray in this dynamic portrayal of one of America's most treasured musicians.