Ann Rachlin

Ann Rachlin MBE, founder of Fun With Music, is a pioneer of music appreciation for children in the UK, and the first performer to introduce "fun" to classical music. A gifted storyteller, Ann began teaching music appreciation in London before creating Fun with Music.

Her work came to public prominence in 1987 when Prince William joined Ann's classes and was followed a year later by his brother, Prince Harry. She has taught the children or grandchildren of other celebrities, including Yehudi Menuhin's grandson, Judi Dench's daughter, Spike Milligan's daughter, Julian Lloyd Webber's son.[1]

Born in Leeds, England in 1933, she is the widow of the American conductor/pianist Ezra Rachlin who died in 1995. She has two daughters and one son, children of her first marriage to Neville Ziff (divorced) and five grandchildren. Children Jan Ziff, journalist and broadcaster, Trisha Ziff, curator and photographer, Max Ziff

In 1985 Ann became a recording artist for EMI and now produces her own CDs on the Fun with Music Limited label under licence from EMI. These include stories of the Russian ballets, Lives of the Great Composers, Musical Adventures and are available at leading record stores, by mail order and online at www.funwithmusic.com (see Ann's catalogue).

Following an enquiry from The Princess of Wales, Prince William joined the Juniors and was followed a year later by Prince Harry who entered the Toddlers. They remained with Ann for four years until they went to boarding school. Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, King Constantine and Queen Anne-Marie of Greece, Dame Judi Dench, Jane Asher, Edward Fox and Joanna David, Barry Humphries, Bob Hoskins, Sir Clement Freud, Spike Milligan and Peter O'Toole also number among other celebrities who have sent their children to Fun with Music.

Over the years, Ann has given hundreds of public performances around the world, including a year of family “Funtasia” concerts with the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by her husband, Ezra.

When Ezra died in 1995, Ann was determined to continue her work. Together with colleague Iain Kerr, a universally experienced musician who has worked with her for more than 25 years, Ann enhanced Fun With Music with several new projects including the Russian Ballet CD series and Bells on her Toes, an audio-visual autobiography lecture suitable for adult clubs and groups. She was the subject of "This Is Your Life" in 1996 when Lord Yehudi Menuhin, Sir Georg Solti and Lord Runcie joined many celebrities, friends and former pupils to pay tribute to her life's work with children and music.

Ann is also a successful writer and her ten "Famous Children" books are best sellers worldwide. They have been translated into 17 languages, including Indonesian, Finnish, Czech and two Chinese versions.

Ann Rachlin is an acknowledged authority on the Victorian actress Ellen Terry and her daughter Edith Craig. For more than thirty years, Ann has owned an extensive ongoing collection of Terry memorabilia which includes the as yet unpublished reminiscences of Edith Craig.

Ann now lives near Winchelsea in East Sussex where she is still active in theatrical and musical circles. She is a speaker around the UK presenting Bells on her Toes, the audio-visual story of her life and Edy was a Lady the true story of Ellen Terry's daughter, enabling the audience to see Ellen Terry through the eyes of her daughter.

As Founder of The Beethoven Fund for Deaf Children Ann Rachlin was awarded the M.B.E. in 1986 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for her services to music and deaf children.

Fun With Music - the catalogue

Great Composers

• Happy Birthday, Mr. Beethoven

The Life of Beethoven set to his own music.

Did you know that Beethoven's favourite food was macaroni cheese? Or that he took a shower standing in a bowl, throwing water all over himself - and the floor?

Meticulously researched, Ann tells the true story of Beethoven's astounding achievements in spite of his deafness, introducing children to a lifetime friendship with the great composer. The music is performed by the world's finest orchestras, including the Philharmonia Orchestra, and the New Philharmonic Orchestra, with conductors that include Sir Adrian Boult and Kurt Sanderling.

• Mozart, The Miracle Maestro

The Life of Mozart set to his own music.

A small boy who hated sloppy kisses!...A miracle in a cathedral in Rome!...The mystery of the Dark Stranger...Wolfgang's journey through Europe with his sister.

Ann Rachlin weaves the colourful story of Mozart into an exciting and intriguing mystery - and it's all true! Mozart's masterpieces provide the background to this amazing tale.

The music is performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and conductors include Sir Colin Davis and Carlo Maria Giulini.

• Once Upon the Thames

The Life of Handel set to his own music.

A boy swallows a knife!...A barber-surgeon...A purse of gold... A German who became England's No.1 musician...And why dozens of candles?

From his early childhood in Germany to his fame in London, Ann Rachlin tells the Life of Handel. Join her as she floats down the Thames with the King for the first performance of the Water Music in 1717 and stand to the majesty of the Hallelujah Chorus.

The music is performed by the London Symphony Orchestra, The King's College Choir, etc. Conductors include Yehudi Menuhin, Sir Charles Mackerras.

• Papa Haydn's Surprise

The Life of Haydn set to his own music.

Expelled for cutting off a choirboy's pigtail!.. Climbing up the scaffolding of a royal palace!...Being punished for breaking the rules!

Franz Josef Haydn's mischievous childhood strikes a chord with every child. Ann reveals the truth behind the "Surprise" Symphony and tells how a naughty boy became the much-loved Papa Haydn - Father of the Symphony.

The music is performed by the London Symphony Orchestra and conducted by André Previn, Kurt Sanderling and others.

• Mr. Handel's Firework Party

The True Story of Handel's Music for the Royal Fireworks.

Fireworks that backfire...Traffic jams in 1749...Sword fights on London Bridge...Road rage in horse-drawn carriages.

Travel back in time with Ann Rachlin as she journeys to the London of two hundred and fifty years ago. Thrill to the sparkle of the Royal Fireworks in your ears!

The music is performed by The London Symphony Orchestra, The King's College Choir and conductors include Sir Charles Mackerras, with George Malcolm (harpsichord).

Musical Adventures

• The Man Who Never Was & the Mystery of the Spanish Gardens

Prokofiev's brilliant "Lieutenant Kijé" plus Falla's "Nights in the Gardens of Spain".

Tsar Paul I was mad about soldiers! He hated school so his reading was a disgrace. When he makes a stupid mistake reading a letter, his General has to invent a brilliant soldier called Lieutenant Kije. This hilarious story, originally a film score by Prokofiev, features the famous Sleighride (Troika ) as you find out what happened to “The Man who Never Was”.

Set in the magnificent Alhambra Palace in Spain, “The Mystery of the Spanish Gardens” tells the tale of a Cruel Sultan, a Hand and a Key and the Fountains of the Lions. Moorish legends – Spanish intrigue. True or false? You decide.

Ann Rachlin narrates two stories set to the music of Prokofiev and Falla. The music is heard in its entirety and is played by The London Symphony Orchestra conducted by André Previn (Kije) and the Paris Conservatoire Orchestra conducted by Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos (Spanish Gardens).

• Sinbad and the Wizard Eagle

Scheherazade's thrilling tale intrigues a Sultan.

A musical shipwreck brings the exhausted Sinbad to a deserted island. A chance encounter with the Wizard Eagle leads him to the rescue of a beautiful Princess. Thrilling cliffhangers make this an exciting story that can last four nights!

Ann Rachlin narrates her story to the music of Rimsky-Korsakov's "Scheherazade" which is heard in its entirety, played by The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra conducted by Constantin Silvestri.

• Seasons' Greetings from Vivaldi

How Vivaldi wrote his 'Four Seasons'.

The birds, the storms, the North Wind, the hiccoughs of the drunken farmers and even the bluebottles on a summer picnic, the snow, the ice cracking on the pond - Vivaldi described it all in his popular "Four Seasons" and annotated each detail in sonnet form on his score. Ann Rachlin has brilliantly woven them all into her musical story of the journey through the seasons, led by Father Vivaldi and seen through the eyes of 18th century Italian farmers.

The music is heard in its entirety played by the Polish Chamber Orchestra conducted by Jerzy Maksymiuk. Solo violin: Krzysztof Jakowicz.

• Mandy and the Magic Butterfly

Mandy's Adventure in Musical Insect Land.

Designed for younger children, Mandy's search for the Magic Butterfly leads her on a fascinating adventure through the insect world. Accompanied by the friendly Bee, Mandy meets Prokofiev's dragonflies and grasshoppers, Vivaldi's bluebottles, Rimsky-Korsakov's Bee, wasps and ladybugs and many more.

This gentle story shows us how the insects view us humans. The Magic Butterfly teaches that even the most humble insect is a living creature and we should not interfere with its life. Listening to Ann Rachlin tell the story, the children learn to love the music but also to respect Nature and her creatures.

• The Love for Three Oranges & Atishoo of Lies

The Story of Prokofiev's Opera plus Kodaly's 'Hary Janos'.

A Giant Cook! A witch with an ugly daughter! An absent-minded wizard and three princesses locked up inside three oranges! Add to this a crazy Hungarian peasant who claims he defeated Napoleon!

Fabulously exciting music by Prokofiev and Kodaly performed by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra!

• The King Who Broke His Promise , A Spooky Halloween & The Sad Dance

Two colourful Russian legends plus a wistful French tale.

A greedy King whose army was a disgrace because he only thought of food was the key character in this old Russian folk tale. Ann Rachlin tells the mysterious story of the downfall of King Dodon to the music of the suite from Rimsky-Korsakov's colourful opera "The Golden Cockerel".

Set to Mussorgsky's famous "Night on a Bare Mountain" in which she describes the frenzied dancing of the witches until the good sound of the church bell disperses them for ever.

In "The Sad Dance" Ann's inspired setting of a gentle story by Guy de Maupassant to the music of Sibelius' haunting waltz is touching and poignant, with a perfect match of words and music.

Russian Ballets

• Swan Lake
• Nutcracker
• Cinderella
• Sleeping Beauty
• Romeo & Juliet
• The Firebird

New Albums

• The Musical Journey to the Moon
• Nurse Goose & the Magic Doors
• The Secret of the Roman Pines
• Ann's Treasury Of Tales
• Chouchou's Birthday Music
• A Wild West Cinderella and Other Stories
• Farewell To A Princess

External links

• Fun with Music website. Retrieved Feb. 25, 2006.