'The Boy Who Said Wow'

What happens when a quiet boy named Ronan attends an orchestra concert for the first time? Find out in Todd Boss' amazing story, based on a real event — a concert by the Handel and Haydn Society — that rocked the classical music world. It's The Boy Who Said Wow, the latest episode of YourClassical Storytime, featuring music by Mozart and original illustrations by Nancy Carlson.

(See more of Carlson's illustrations in the gallery.)

Note from author Todd Boss: This story really happened. A boy named Ronan broke the silence after a concert in Boston with a "Wow!" that surprised and delighted his grandfather and everyone else! Ronan is nonverbal, which means he usually doesn't speak much. But that night, he seemed to speak for everyone. Ronan's unusual "Wow!" was caught on a radio recording, and you can hear that actual moment in this episode of YourClassical Storytime. Everyone is special. You never know when it will be your turn to wow the world.

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Video

Playlist

Our telling of The Boy Who Said Wow includes excerpts from the following recordings:

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Andante in C
Concerto Koln, Cordula Breuer
Capriccio 1003

Symphony No. 41 (Jupiter)
Bratislava Mozart Academy, Martin Sieghart
Amadis 7033

Masonic Funeral Music (this is the piece that earned the "Wow!")
Kassel Spohr Chamber Orchestra, Roberto Paternostro
Naxos 570897

Courtesy of Naxos of America Inc.

Credits

Narrator: Scott Blankenship
Writer: Todd Boss
Illustrator: Nancy Carlson
Producer: Valerie Kahler
Special source audio: Provided by WCRB, Classical Radio Boston, in cooperation with the Handel and Haydn Society
Digital producer: James Napoli
Senior digital producer: Randy Salas
Program director: Julie Amacher

The Boy Who Said Wow
© Todd Boss
Used with permission and under license

Gallery

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The Boy Who Said Wow — Ronan might still be listening to the music in his head after his incredible concert experience.
Nancy Carlson for MPR

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