You might remember from my review of The Soldier’s Tale CD from Maestro Classics that I mentioned how much I loved Peter and the Wolf on vinyl when I was a little girl… well now I won it on CD, so I get to listen to it all over again and share it with Lily!
A young boy named Peter disobeys his grandfather and climbs over the garden wall. When he encounters a wolf, with quick thinking and the help of his friends – a bird, a duck and a cat – Peter captures the wolf and it is taken to the zoo. A 24-page activity book included with the CD contains sheet music for Peter’s Theme, information on Russion folk instruments, a biography of Prokofiev, games, and more.
I really enjoy listening to the Soldier’s Tale, but Peter and the Wolf beats it by a landslide in my nostalgic opinion. *wink* It evokes rich images and emotion as each character’s theme is played – faster, slower, more playfully, or more ominously – you can feel the direction of the story almost before you hear the words. The musical arrangement written by Sergei Prokofiev is just so hauntingly beautiful, it has truly stuck with me since I was a child. As soon as I started the CD, I became completely absorbed in the music and story as if I was a child all over again.
If you could own only one story set to music that is performed by a symphony orchestra, I highly recommend that you choose Peter and the Wolf. Of course, I would hope that you wouldn’t limit yourself to just one because they are so wonderfully effective at sparking a child’s (and an adult’s!) imagination and emotion, and can be amazing educational tools at home, at daycare, in a home school program or classroom setting. my SIMPLE star rating :: 5 out 5
Peter and the Wolf by Maestro Classics :: $16.98 on CD, $9.98 mp3 download
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A SIMPLE GIVEAWAY!
One lucky SIMPLE reader will win a copy of Maestro Classics’ Peter and the Wolf. Here’s how to enter:
*Product was provided to me for the purpose of conducting this review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are not influenced by monetary compensation*
February 12, 2012 at 2:43 pm
i would like to hear the story of swan lake
February 12, 2012 at 7:17 pm
I would also like to hear their The Sorcerer’s Apprentice CD!
February 13, 2012 at 1:44 pm
I would like to hear The Soldier’s Tale CD.
February 13, 2012 at 5:26 pm
I would like the Tortoise and the Hare!
February 13, 2012 at 6:31 pm
Juanita the Spanish Lobster sound like a fun one.
February 14, 2012 at 1:15 am
Maybe Casey at the Bat, but in all honesty I would LOVE to have Peter and the Wolf! I remember we had this as a record and storybook when I was a kid. As soon as I saw the title the music started playing in my head!
February 14, 2012 at 10:48 am
we would love The Tortoise and the Hare
February 14, 2012 at 10:24 pm
I would love to hear Juanita the Spanish Lobster.
February 15, 2012 at 1:07 pm
The CD I’d be most interested in hearing is The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
February 15, 2012 at 5:19 pm
My Name is Handel: The Story of Water Music
February 15, 2012 at 9:57 pm
I’d like to hear the Sorcerer’s Apprentice.
jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com
February 16, 2012 at 1:57 am
I’d love to hear Sorcerer’s Apprentice!
February 16, 2012 at 10:48 am
I’d love the mike mulligan CD too!
February 16, 2012 at 11:29 am
I would love the Mike Mulligan CD. We love the book and have never heard the music.
February 17, 2012 at 1:57 pm
I would be so interested in doing the Mike Mulligan set! But! Peter and the Wolf has been higher on my “wish list”!
February 18, 2012 at 12:16 am
Id really like to have the story of swan lake
February 18, 2012 at 9:24 pm
I’d like the sorcerer’s apprentice!
February 20, 2012 at 6:58 am
The Tortoise and the Hare
February 20, 2012 at 1:08 pm
I love all of the cd’s and would be hard pressed to pick a favorite.
February 20, 2012 at 11:27 pm
I love The Tortoise and the Hare
February 22, 2012 at 11:27 am
i would love to hear Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel, one of my favorites from childhood!
February 25, 2012 at 10:58 pm
I’d love the Handel CD as well. When I was a kid I had a similar cassette, about Beethoven, and I listened to it quite often, I loved it!
Marysa {at} marysa {dot} com