'Classical' music recommendations / ideas for a 10 year old

[PigeonPie]

My nephew is 10 (nearly 11) and has been playing the bassoon for a year had has just started playing in his County Junior Orchestra. He was rather lost today because he hasn't the experience that the others have, which will come with time.

I've suggested that he might like to start listening to more 'classical' music just so that he starts to get a general knowledge and things start to become more familiar.

Apart from the obvious things like the Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra, what else would you suggest?

I would start with things that are fairly accessible, maybe classical romantic stuff, e.g. Tchaikovsky, where most things have good melodies. Great that he has chosen bassoon - it's not such a common instrument, and there will be loads of opportunities for him to play in orchestras etc. (I am well aware of this as I play clarinet and my sister plays bassoon, and guess who gets to play most????!!!)

Peer Gynt Suite?

I just downloaded it from iTunes, after hearing it on the Joanna Lumley programme last week. It's not too long, and very tuneful.

romeo and juliet (tchaikovsky)

I play the bassoon too, and it's been great because I am having to get it out again to play with him - although he's likely to be much better than I am very soon!

I'm going to make a list of the things I've already got on CD (entire Beethoven Symphonies and Concerti etc) when I can get to the CDs which aren't yet on my iTunes, but I know I'll forget something major.

Get that bassoon out!

Other things he might like would be "programme" type music, where there is a story attached - it might engage him more. Hope this helps!

He needs some inspiring bassoon music. I once saw a student performance of Dead Elvis and never felt the same way about the instrument again in a good way.

and some more modern ideas here

Thanks all. He's already decided he wants to be the next Daniel Smith .

I'll see if I can find Dead Elvis and I've bookmarked the Glens - they look great, thanks Marina.

Just want him to start listening to all sorts of music to widen his repertoire, but I've told him not to ignore pop too, I don't want him alienated at school because he's not listening to the stuff his peers are listening to.

Carnival of the Animals- Saint-Saëns
Peter and the Wolf- Prokofiev (Grandfather is the bassoon)

The Sorcerer's Apprentice - Dukas (used in 'Fantasia') has bassoon too.

There are suggestions of music from many different periods at the bottom of this wiki page too...

Vernon Elliott, the composer of Ivor the Engine, was my old bassoon teacher's bassoon teacher!

Wow PigeonPie, Vernon Elliott and Smallfilms are big favourites in our house. I had not realised he was a bassoonist as well as composer.

Marina, I think he actually plays on them too. I bought my Ma Pingwings and he composed and played the music on that too. I do have a copy of the sheet music for Ivor and, years ago, could play it - too rusty now though.

Nephew doesn't have a very wide knowledge of classical music at the moment (although I don't know many ten year olds who do) and I just thought it would be good for him to have some background listening of a variety of orchestral work which might help him. It'll also give me a good excuse to have to buy more CDs for me too!