"The Voice of the Wood" children's reading and music video created by Barbara Hedlund

This story is about a magical cello which can only be played by an honest person with a sincere heart. The video emphasizes reading, impressionistic art, travel to the City of Venice, Italy, violin makers or Luthiers, and music featuring "The Song of the Birds" for solo cello and orchestra by Pablo Casals, the famous Barcarolle by Jacques Offenbach, and the prelude from the 2nd Unaccompanied Cello Suite by JS Bach. Barbara Hedlund was the cellist in these musical segments. A Cellist/teacher in Spain commented it would be a wonderful story to help children learn to read and speak English.
Permission for use of the story and images was granted by publisher Dial Books for Young Children in New York City, USA and the Northwest Symphony, Orchestra in Des Plaines, IL USA, plus proper credits and permissions to all relevant parties appearing on the last page of the video. A Penguin Random House Story Time Temporary Open License is in place ([e-mail]). Music was purchased from Plymouth/Tetra Music and used with permission for the inserted NWSO performance conducted by the late Maestro Paul Vermel.