Johann Sebastian Bach

Bach wrote 6 Brandenburg Concertos. The most famous is Concerto No. 2, that was used as the theme to Masterpiece Theater on PBS.

Recently my kids have encountered Brandenburg Concerto 5 Movement 1 (Allegro) while watching the Little Einsteins. It appears in episode 1-10: Farmer Annie.

The episode uses a variety of instruments including a Harpsicord. Here are my favorite renditions of the piece (using period instruments).



This one is very similar to the Little Einsteins version. Listen to Track 4 of Disc 2.


This one also includes a DVD showing the orchaestra making the recording! Again, check out Track 4 of Disc 2.

If matching the tempo of the Little Einstein's version isn't important to you, try this superb rendition.


If the Masterpiece Theater song is more to your liking, then you'll delight in this recording by Wynton Marsalis. It features Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 as well as a dozen more classical favorites.

Ludwig van Beethoven

Beethoven has been a favorite of my toddler for a long time. He gave mixed reviews to most of the Baby Einstein DVD collection but still loves Baby Beethoven to this day.

We have encountered Beethoven twice during our viewing of the Little Einsteins.

Fur Elise is used in 1-15: The Christmas Wish.

Ode to Joy is used in Disney's Little Einsteins - Our Big Huge Adventure movie.

My favorite renditions of Beethoven are on the soundtrack to Immortal Beloved this is a great movie for music lovers, but not for small children.


The Soundtrack


Special Edition DVD


For kids (6-18 months). I found it very helpful to turn this on while trying to feed the baby, it provided just the right amount of distraction and stimulation.


This movie is only 61 minutes, but can feel quite long to a toddler. I recommend dividing it into 3 viewings.

Georges Bizet

Carmen is a spectacular piece of music and opera. I first heard it on the soundtrack for the Bad News Bears (1976). I more recently heard it as part of Carmen - A Hip Hopera (2001). I really enjoyed both movies.

I'm delighted that my kids love Bizet's music as part of the Little Einsteins. So far it has been featured in 4 episodes!

Les Toreadors in 1-05 Pirates Treasure

L'Arlesienne No. 2: "Farandole" in 1-09 Go West, Young Train

L'Arlesienne No. 2: "Farandole" in 1-12 Annie’s Solo Mission

Les Toreadors in 1-17 Jump for Joey

Although I am familiar with Carmen, I never heard of L'Arlesienne until I heard it with my kids. Here is an overview (source).

L'Arlésienne - (the girl from Arles, in Provence) this was originally composed for a limited group of instruments as incidental music to a play by Daudet, but later fashioned into 2 orchestral suites (including the well-known Farandole), the first suite by Bizet himself and the second after his death by a friend Ernest Guiraud.

Here is my favorite rendition of both pieces, and they are similar in tempo to the Little Einsteins versions.


We have this and love it!


I adore Leonard Bernstein but the cymbals seem a little slow for my taste.


This is the movie that matches the soundtrack. Actually, it's a TV show from Canada. I haven't seen it but you can get a full outline from its producers.


This is really fun for teens and adults.

Johannes Brahms

The Hungarian Dances are lively and inspire moving around. I don't recommend watching these episodes of the Little Einsteins while feeding the kids cereal :)

Hungarian Dance No. 5 featured in 1-03 Hungarian Hiccups

Hungarian Dance No. 5 featured in 1-07 The Golden Pyramid


Excellent recording


Played on 2 pianos!


Note: Four outstanding symphonies, but not Hungarian Dances

Antonin Dvorak

I played the New World symphony in jr. high school band class. It was my absolute favorite. It is the best piece for French Horn players. The "Largo" is featured in 2 episodes of the Little Einsteins (including the premiere):

New World / Symphony Number 9 "Largo" in 1-01 Ring Around the Planet

New World / Symphony Number 9 "Largo" in 1-16 How We Became Little Einsteins - The True Story!


A great recording by Sir George Solti

The bellweather recordings of this piece (may be harder to acquire):


Claudio Abbado


Leonard Bernstein

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Ultimate Dvorak (box set)

George Gershwin

I don't know what it is about Rhapsody in Blue that stirs me so much. Whenever it is playing I focus on the impending notes and have a hard time thinking about anything else.

My son discovered Rhapsody in Blue as part of Fantasia 2000. It serves as a transition from the first part of the DVD (which is oriented toward adults in my opinion) to the second half where the playlist is much more fun for kids.





As I mentioned above, my son adores this DVD but I strongly recommend skipping right into Rhapsody in Blue or the Flamingos Dance. After a few viewings he grew to adore the Steadfast Tin Soldier and the Rite of Spring (with volcano!) too. Rhapsody in Blue is his absolute favorite. This DVD is a little difficult to acquire but it's worth the effort!

Edvard Grieg

Until recently, I was familiar with the In the Hall of the Mountain King but had never heard of Edvard Grieg. He is definitely a favorite of the Little Einsteins producers, and has been featured 4 times so far:

Peer Gynt, Suite No. 1 "Morning Mood" in 1-02 I Love to Conduct

Peer Gynt, Suite No. 1 "In the Hall of the Mountain King" in 1-08 Dragon Kite

Peer Gynt, Suite No. 1 "In the Hall of the Mountain King" in 1-11 Little Einsteins Halloween

Peer Gynt, Suite No. 1 "Morning Mood" in 1-14 The Good Knight and the Bad Knight






The book on which the opera is based.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

As much as I enjoy Mozart, it is amazing that no other composer has ever compared to his prolific outpouring of stirring and universally joyful music.

We already owned many Mozart CDs so, unlike most composers, we haven't bought additional Mozart because of the Little Einsteins. Here are the episodes in which Mozart has been featured:

Horn Concerto No. 2 ("In E Flat, K.417: Rondo K.417: III. Rondo")
in 1-04 Whale Tale

Eine Kleine Nachtmusik in 1-06 The Birthday Balloons

Eine Kleine Nachtmusik in 1-13 The Mouse and the Moon






Sir Neville Mariner


Amadeus - Director's Cut DVD (Two-Disc Special Edition with 25 minutes more scenes) Great movie for music lovers, but not for little kids.


Complete Soundtrack

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov

While I was growing up this was my grandfather's favorite recording was the Fiedler version of Flight of the Bumblebee (on LP!)

My son got a kick out of the silly lyrics for Flight of the Bumblebee in Little Einsteins episode 1-18 The Northern Night Light.


Fiedler Greatest Hits
There are a number of other great songs on this CD. Definitely preview it on amazon, you'll love it! (includes Faradole too!)


Classics: Greatest Hits (the same Fielder recording on a different CD)


Rimsky-Korsakov: Greatest Hits

Pytor Illych Tchaikovsky

For a long time I've been a sucker for the "dances" and popular snippets from the Nutcracker, it is exciting to find the complete score on CD.



These kids books are fun summaries of what happens during the ballet:


For younger kids


For older kids