The Composer is Dead

The Composer is Dead

• author:  Lemony Snicket  http://www.lemonysnicket.com/
• illustrator:  Carson Ellis  http://www.carsonellis.com/
• medium: watercolor

• year of publication:  2009
• publication city:  New York
• publisher:  Harper Collins Publishers
• ISBN:  978-0-06-123627-3

Annotation:  The composer is dead and whodunnit?  Everyone has a motive, an alibi and nearly everyone is a musical instrument. Join the inspector as he interrogates the ususal suspects.

Personal Thoughts:  When I first read the story, I didn't bother playing the accompanying cd.  I thought the story was nice enough, using the musical characteristics of the instruments to describe their alibis at the time of the composer's death.  But I felt the story was missing something: music of course. 

I played the cd and the story came alive with the narration accompanied by the actual orchestral recordings.  It really helped and added a theatrical quality to the book.  I'd have to say the book is more fun with the audio component.  The whole package: book and cd, make the experience better.

***Curriculum Connection - 5th Grade musical appreciation/theory
***Lesson Plan - Read the story The Composer is Dead together as a class while playing the accompanying cd.  Remember to discuss the instruments as they play.  Then play samples of each instrument and ask students to write down what instruments they are listening to.  This lesson helps children distinguish separate instruments within orchestral music.