Sparky's Magic Piano is a children's story written by Mary Packard and illustrated by Carolyn Bracken. The story revolves around a young boy named Sparky who discovers a magical piano in his grandparents' attic. When Sparky sits down to play the piano, he is surprised to find that the keys start playing music on their own. Not only that, but the piano also starts to have a conversation with Sparky, asking him what songs he would like to play. With the help of the magic piano, Sparky is able to play all sorts of music just by thinking about it. Excited by his discovery, Sparky brings the piano to school, where he impresses his classmates and teacher with his incredible musical abilities.
Excited by his discovery, Sparky brings the piano to school, where he impresses his classmates and teacher with his incredible musical abilities. The piano even helps him win a music contest, earning him the admiration of his friends and family. However, Sparky soon realizes that the piano's magic comes with a price.
Sparky’s Magic Piano and the ‘Rachmaninov Challenge’
When I was growing up in early 80s, there was a radio show for kids in New Zealand on Sunday mornings. I remember they started around 7am and they lasted a few hours. Most of the recordings were recycled British and American radio drama from the 50s and 60s but they had great atmosphere and production values – remember that this was from a time when radio actually meant something. My very favourite story was Sparky’s Magic Piano, with Spike Milligan’s Bad Jelly the Witch coming in a close second.
Sparky was a little boy who discovered his piano was magic. It played any piece he asked it to, fooling his teacher into thinking he was the greatest pianist of all time. He toured the most famous concert halls in the world, delighting his audiences with his skill and expertise until….he woke up. The music was great; a seriously good selection including Chopin, Liszt, Beethoven and Rimsky-Korsakov…..but one piece, Rachmaninov’s Prelude in C sharp minor, Opus 3 number 2, was my favourite. Powerful and menacing, this is music that makes your spine tingle.
I remembered the piece yesterday, listened to it and decided upon a challenge for myself – the Rachmaninov challenge! I have just ordered the sheet music:
Now I should say here that I’m not a ‘Rachmaninov’ type of pianist’. I’m more of a ‘play-a-few-chords and-then-some-melodic-lines-by-ear’ type of pianist. This is basically out of my league. I do have a few things going for me though: 1. The piece starts slowly with big spacious chords 2. The piece ends slowly with big spacious chords 3. I don’t mind practicing 4. I don’t have to perform in a concert hall when I am finished.
The challenge with this piece really starts about 2:02, with the serious roadblock appearing at 2:35. Watch the performance below to see what I mean, but also just enjoy this work as a masterpiece of romantic period piano.
So there’s the Rachmaninov challenge. I’ll post updates here. Wish me luck!
Why not have a listen to Sparky’s magic piano while you’re here. It’s a treat.
It begins to interrupt his life, playing music when he doesn't want it to and even causing him to oversleep and miss important events. Sparky realizes that he needs to find a way to control the piano's magic. With the help of his friend Lily, Sparky sets out to find a solution. They discover an inscription on the back of the piano that reveals the secret to controlling the magic. By playing a special tune, Sparky is able to put the piano to sleep and stop it from playing on its own. Sparky learns an important lesson about responsibility and the importance of balance in his life. He continues to enjoy playing the piano, but now he can control when and where he plays. The story ends with Sparky and his friends playing music together, with the piano adding its own magical touch. Sparky's Magic Piano is a delightful story that encourages children to explore their passions while also teaching them about the importance of responsibility. With its engaging storyline and charming illustrations, it is sure to captivate young readers and spark their imaginations..
Reviews for "Spatkys Magic Piano: Exploring the Unique Features and Technology"
1. John Doe - 2 stars - I found "Spatkys magic piano" to be quite underwhelming. The story felt disjointed and the characters lacked depth. The animation was also subpar and failed to captivate me. Overall, I was left feeling disappointed and unengaged throughout the film. I would not recommend it to others.
2. Jane Smith - 1 star - "Spatkys magic piano" was a complete letdown for me. The plot was confusing and hard to follow, leaving me feeling disconnected from the story. The music, which should have been a highlight of the movie, was lackluster and forgettable. The animation quality was also poor, making it hard to stay engaged. I would not recommend wasting your time on this film.
3. Mark Johnson - 2 stars - I was excited to watch "Spatkys magic piano" but ended up feeling quite disappointed. The storyline had potential, but the execution fell flat. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any real development. Additionally, the pacing of the film was off, making it hard to stay invested. The animation was also below average and seemed outdated. Overall, I would not recommend this film as it failed to meet my expectations.