Mozart Interactive

iPad

Teaches: Mozart, piano

CTR Rating: 80%

CTR Review

The first of a multi-chapter suite of apps (this first chapter is free), this is an animated musical adventure designed to get children interested in music. In all cases, the music is well played, edited and mixed, although this app is more about watching and listening than making music. Much of the music is performed by the child prodigy singer/pianist Ethan Bortnick (see www.ethanbortnick.com), who was just 10-years of age when this app was recorded. Bortnick appears with an animated violin named Val. Ethan is so young, it's hard to believe the music is coming from his fingers. Here's how it works: As Ethan and Val play Mozart's Rondo Alla Turca, you can use icons that pop up on the screen to select which instrument will play in upcoming measures. There are three options (besides Val the Violin): Heidi Horn, Timmy Trumpet and Febe Flute. The idea is to let children become the conductor, deciding which instruments will play and appear next. The only problem is that this app is both light in content (just one song) and in interactive options. So the end product of your "mixing" might seem very similar. We're not sure how this free app makes money. Note that there is also Flash-based virtual world by the same company. Visit www.melodystreet.com for more information.