Search - Prokofiev, Britten, Ormandy :: Prokofiev: Peter and the Wolf, Britten: The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra, Saint-Saens: Carnival of the Animals

A good effort, but falls short

Bruce H. Jensen | 03/10/1999

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This is a good CD for kids, with decent narration of Peter and the Wolf, but lacking elsewhere. There is no narration for the Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra nor to the Carnival of the Animals. For my toddler, this relegates this CD to the back of the pile. However, the performances are good. Its low price and its presentation of three classic pieces make this an attractive issue, but in none of the three cases can this be said to be the best offering available. Look for Bernstein's classic rendition of the Britten and the more recent Patrick Stewart narration of the Prokofiev."

Musicianship sets the seal on this recording

Bruce H. Jensen | San Lorenzo, CA United States | 05/24/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"OK, the narration is missing on the Saint-Saens and Britten. Frankly, it is no big problem when the quality of musicianship and virtuosity of the orchestral playing is so magnificent! Ormandy is a paragon of good sense and judgment in this music, and he gets the tempi and dynamics well-nigh perfect. The Philadelphians respond with total commitment and sympathy. When Prokofiev's poor duck is swallowed by the wolf, the music brings tears to one's eyes, and when Peter leads the triumphant parade at the end, one's heart bursts with vicarious pride - and it is Ormandy's great orchestra that has gotten the point across!Carnival is packed with the humor of musical jokes very well told, and whether it is the gentle swaying of the mighty elephant, the colorful dancing of the fossilized bones or the silliness of dueling pianos, Ormandy's forces deliver a potent punchline for each section. His Swan is as gracefully alluring as anybody's, and far better than most. Britten's marvelous piece, while not as immediately obvious as the more narrative other works, is a tour-de-force of orchestral hue, painted in Technicolor by Ormandy and, again, exhibiting the same great qualities as the other two.Cyril Ritchard's storytelling on "Peter" is pure fun, and so what if the others have no spoken dialog? This a recording to be shared with your children, so you be the narrator and have a great experience with your kids! My son and I have enjoyed this recording together at home and on long trips many times, and it never fails to make the long hour pass quickly. Years after the narration is less important and the music can be appreciated by your descendants on its own merits, this recording will remain a favorite for the great interpretations and joyful execution of its components...and your kids will have another fabulous memory to savor and a model for their own children."