Today the halls of Mount Vernon and Monticello are silent, save for the shuffling of feet and the chatter of tourists and tour guides. But once both houses were filled with music. Music, said Thomas Jefferson, is “a delightful recreation,” and as a young man, he spent as many as three hours a day playing his violin. This CD contains 17 songs and tunes from the vast music collections that belonged to Jefferson and his family, as well as the family of George Washington. The music is played on instruments authentic to the period, including a 1776 violin and a 1760 English guitar, in addition to harpsichord, harp, cello, flute, and hammered dulcimer. Twenty-four pages of liner notes explain which First Family member sang or played each of the songs, give lyrics to the songs, and explain historical references. A teacher’s guide is available online, at www.ridleymadison.com/teachers. Total time: 47 minutes