The flying orchestra by Clare McFadden
UQP, 2019. ISBN 9780702249297
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Themes: Music. Orchestras. A windy day in
Brisbane sees a flying orchestra hit town. The image on the title
page shows a lad watching as the orchestra blows in, heralding a
story full of magical touches. Some poignant, others full of
laughter, the music played by the orchestra hits the right tone as
it creates a background symphony to the everyday corners of all of
our lives. Each page presents a different aspect of our lives,
missing the train, welcoming someone home at the airport, when a
baby is born or someone lies awake all night, thinking. Others are
at the beach or in the park, cooking for six or watching the dawn,
and each time music can be heard; an orchestra or solo violinist, a
percussionist is playing somewhere on the page, a soundtrack to our
lives.
McFadden's illustrations are vague and ethereal, sometimes almost
out of focus but each capturing the spirit of the words and its
music, as a slice of life is presented. I particularly loved the
image of the man missing the train. What a story could be evinced,
with his sad look, holding a bag with a bunch of flowers, the grey
and fawn colours of the neglected railway station reflecting his
mood. (With Bach's 'Chacomne' playing) And the image of the
orchestra playing on the escalator in a shopping centre, people
watching as they ride up, but one man stopping, leaning against the
rail, intent on hearing the music. (Elgar's 'Nimrod Variations'
here) Readers will love spying the orchestra on the pages and
recognising the different instruments, hearing the music as each
page is mused over. Teachers will be able to introduce instruments
to the class, having them hear how each sounds and what sort of
emotion it elicits.
I listened to some of the tunes on the playlist at the end of the
book and was astounded at how closely they recalled the images
presented in the book. What a wonderful class reading this would be
with the music playing in the background. Winner of the CBCA 2011
Crichton Award, this is the first time is has appeared in paperback.
Fran Knight