Classical Baby (HBO)

About Classical Baby (HBO)

Classical Baby is a triple Emmy Award-winning HBO television series that debuted in 2005. It is designed to introduce young children to masterpieces of art, poetry, dance, and classical music. The visually stunning series blends beautiful animation with some of the greatest works from classical composers and artists. Each episode contains a variety of segments that are each set to a particular piece of classical music, with non-speaking animated characters acting out a story that fits the theme of the music.

Making / Production

Classical Baby is produced by HBO and is a product of extensive research and careful execution. It takes special effort to design visuals that would complement the classical pieces of music and dance. With the purpose to enrich children’s basic understanding and appreciation for the arts, the team behind Classical Baby has painstakingly matched each piece of music or dance with perfect visuals.

Actors

• Actor: John Lithgow – Role: Narrator – He brings life to the series with his charismatic narration.
• Actor: Ziggy Marley – Role: Narrator (Dance episode) – He adds a unique rhythm to his storytelling, complimenting the music brilliantly.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Classical Baby primarily deals with timeless compositions. Even so, it introduces them in a fresh, exciting way that's kid-friendly and engaging even to adults.
• The series was a hit among critics and audiences, garnering overwhelming positive responses from parents who appreciated the exposure it provided their children to classical arts.

Awards

Classical Baby has won three Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation and Outstanding Special Class - Short-format Animated Programs.

Quotes

• "You were a mermaid in the ocean, and I met you on the land. Together we could dance and make the rain come."
• "Your steps are like keys on a piano, playing a symphony."

Music, Soundtrack

• Beethoven's Symphony No. 1
• Bach's Concerto for Two Violins
• Tchaikovsky's Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy from the Nutcracker
• Mozart's "Alla Turca" from Piano Sonata No. 11