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Wednesday, December 02, 2009

The Sound of Music, 50th Anniversary! (& giveaway)

Here's an image that we (should) all know and love:


This year is the 50th anniversary of the musical version of The Sound of Music. Contrary to popular opinion, Julie Andrews was not the Broadway star of said musical. Instead, Mary Martin took the honors as having portrayed Maria Von Trapp on stage. Now, most of us are used to listening to Julie Andrews belt out the very familiar tunes from this movie. I had actually never heard Mary Martin sing any of the songs until I was sent a copy of The Sound of Music: 50th Anniversary Edition (original cast recording) to listen to. You can take a listen, courtesy of Youtube:



Familiar song, slightly different voice. Good memories all around. (The new 50th anniversary CD includes 3 new tracks: 1. a song with Julie Andrews 2. Edelwiss, in German and 3. Climb Ev'ry Mountain, in Swedish.)

What made this story so popular? Why does it stick with us so? Is it the idea of a young woman, not knowing who she is or where she belongs, making a name for herself in the world? Is it triumph over evil? Is it the music itself which seems to speak to the heart of who we all are - reminding us to take small moments to think about our favorite things? In a day and age where we do not have much time to think about what's for dinner, the reminder to think about the things we truly value and enjoy is definitely valid.

To mark the 50th anniversary of this Broadway musical, Simon &; Schuster have released a special Sound of Music: A Classic Collectible Pop-Up book. Every page spread depicts a now very familiar scene. It opens with Maria (literally) twirling away in the hills which she loved so much. A small book (with extra pop-up pictures inside of it) with pages to turn also appears on each spread so that you can read the book as a story (apart from oo-ing and aahh-ing over the pop up displays themselves, of course). This is a well-designed book that draws you in to scenes, such as Maria meeting the Von Trapp children for the first time or the wedding ceremony at the Nonnberg Abbey. As you read along with the story, you will also come across lyrics to some of the songs from the musical.

"How do you solve a problem like Maria?
How do you catch a cloud and pin it down?
How do you find a word that means Maria?
A flibertijibit! A will-o'-the-wisp! A clown!"
(I didn't even have to look at the words to type them up. I have the song memorized.) As do you, too, I am sure! The Von Trapp story is a remarkable one and well worth memorializing in song and on stage (and on the big screen).



This Sound of Music Pop-up book is a fun way to remember their story and the Rogers and Hammerstein musical rendition. Although it is written for children, it's best enjoyed by older fingers guiding younger fingers through the scenes, stories and songs, to familiarize a new generation with a wonderful story that depicts fiery determination, honor, respect, human decency and brilliant talent. I love this story and I'm glad to have had the opportunity to enjoy this book and CD.

Now some good news for one of you.... Simon & Schuster have generously offered one copy of the book and the CD to one reader here at Reading to Know!

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED

Merry Early Christmas from Simon & Schuster!

54 comments:

Annette W. said...

WOW! This sounds wonderful. I'd love to win this.

Annette W. said...

I am a follower, too. (I subscribe in Google reader, too, if that is what you mean.)

Stephanie said...

Me!

Stephanie said...

Double me! This looks so fun. My girls and just watched (some of it) and it was the first time for them to hear the songs.

Unknown said...

I'd like to win :)

Linna said...

Please enter me. I'd like to win them all. Ha :D

linna.hsu at gmail dot com

Linna said...

I'm a subscriber. :D

linna.hsu at gmail dot com

Cassandra said...

Ooh, I love The Sound of Music! That is one of my favorite movies of all time!

Cassandra said...

I subscribe to your RSS feed as well through my browser... :) :)

collettakay said...

I love this movie!

pepsi324[at]yahoo[dot]com

collettakay said...

I'm a follower!

Jen @ Happy Little Homemaker said...

We just watched this & were struck at how many more things jumped out at us now that we r older & have kids!

Jen @ Happy Little Homemaker said...

I subscribe, too :).

Marks of Faith said...

This is one of my all time Favorites!!! Sign me up please!

That pop up book was incredible! Hard to believe it has been 50 years...

Sound of Music was the first movie my mother ever saw!!! That's a pretty good way to start your movie watching career! : )

Julie Andrews is just amazing...ever time I hear one of her songs I wind up singing for the rest of the day!

Thanks for the post! It is great!!!

~The Daughters of Texas~ said...

Love Sound of Music!!! Thanks for the opportunity and the post!!! I really enjoyed it!

Stephanie Kay said...

Julie Andrews IS Maria (and Mary Poppins but that's beside the point)! :)

Stephanie Kay said...

We watched the movie last year with my kids. Will liked the singing but was a little young to follow the whole story.

Amy @ Hope Is the Word said...

Oh, my goodness. I have tears in my eyes. I LOVE THE SOUND OF MUSIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Truly, it's one of my all time favorites!!!

Please, please, please pick me!!!

Amy @ Hope Is the Word said...

Should I beg again?

I won't.

tmu said...

Of course i had these lyrics memorized! They were on my record player (along with Peter, Paul, and Mary!) in my room!

(if anyone wants to know what a record player is ... just ask!)

:)

Yup, i'd love to win! Thanks!

Anonymous said...

My daughter loves the sound of music! We have a piano book of the songs and sit around the piano and sing. this would make a tremendous christmas present!
Thanks for the giveaway-
artandjen at juno dot com

Jen N

Anonymous said...

I read your blog and comment regularly. Hopefully that works for a second entry!
Jen N
artandjen at juno dot com

Laura's Reviews said...

Wow - what a great giveaway. I LOVE the Sound of Music. The music is fantastic and sticks with you, but the story is also heart warming (although my husband once asked if Gone with the Wind was the story where they run away from the Nazis over the mountains . . . I think I need to force him to watch The Sound of Music and Gone With the Wind!).

I have never heard anyone but Julie Andrews sing the songs before, it was fun to listen to. The pop-up books looks fantastic!

Laura's Reviews said...

I am a follower.

Shawntele said...

I would love to win this giveaway, I have the movie on my wish list for Christmas; the book and CD would be a lovely addition. :) Thanks for the entry.

Shawntele said...

Entry #2, I pick up your feed in google reader. :)

hopeinbrazil said...

Carrie, I'm not interested in winning anything. Just wanted to let you know that YOU WON the "Superior Scribblers" Award. See my blog for details.

http://worthwhilebooks.blogspot.com/2009/12/fun-award.html

Blessings, Hope

Beth said...

I love the Sound of Music. This looks great!

Beth said...

I've had you in my Google Reader for months!

KR said...

What a great prize!

mj.coward[at]gmail.com

KR said...

I follow on Google Friend.

mj.coward[at]gmail.com

Sky said...

The hiiiiillls are aliiiiiiiiiiive with the sound of muuuuuusic!

Sky said...

I am addicted to your book blog! (And a subscriber!)

Stephanie said...

Great giveaway! My whole family adores TSOM (it's even my husband's famous film)! I would love to share this book with my children!

Unknown said...

I would love to win this book for my nieces:) I am a huge fan of the movie !!
tanyainjville@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

ohh...I hope I win...pick me!

Unknown said...

ok ...enter me again!

Lauren said...

I love The Sound of Music! Please enter me in your giveaway!

Heather VanTimmeren said...

This would be the perfect gift for my kids - even my 2 1/2 year-old lisps "Do a Deer." If I win, RTK would have supplied a good portion of my Christmas gifts! (-: (But I'm not holding my breath...too much.)

Heather VanTimmeren said...

And I subscribe by e-mail, so I hope that counts for entry #2.

Shooting Stars Mag said...

What a great gift. I'd love to have this.

-Lauren
lauren51990 AT aol DOT com

Shooting Stars Mag said...

i follow your blog if that counts. :)

lauren51990 AT aol DOT com

wmmahaney said...

I love The Sound of Music.
wmmahaney(at)att(dot)net

wmmahaney said...

I subscribe to your feed in Google Reader.
wmmahaney(at)att(dot)net

tmu said...

If i win, i'd sing the theme track for you .... now isn't that a fantastic incentive?

:)

(considering the original meaning of fantastic, it IS!)

Edna said...

This musical is an old one as everyone knows and I have a granddaugter that would love the cd and book. Please enter me, into the drawing, Thanks and have a very Merry CHRISTMAS everyone.

mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net

Edna said...

I follow you also


mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net

Edna said...

I also get your newsletter that is where I saw about the contest first


mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net

Marks of Faith said...

Oh...by the way...I am a follower / Subscriber! : ) And..I Facebook about you too! ; )

apple blossom said...

Oh, I love simple. Sounds like a lovely giveaway. Thanks. I'd love to win.

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

apple blossom said...

I'm a regular subscriber too

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Anonymous said...

please count me in...thanks.

karenk
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

Julie said...

I love The Sound of Music! This would be a wonderful family keepsake for my daughter. I'd love to win!

Julie =)
sweetpea{dot}hull{at}gmail{dot}com

Lisa Spence said...

Oh my goodness, my mom had that Mary Martin album and I had forgotten all about it until I saw it in this post! My sister and I loved playing her record albums on this giant stereo console we had. Our favorite, however, was the soundtrack album to American Graffiti.

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