Peter and the Wolf

August 2, 1999
This presentation of Prokofiev's symphonic fairy tale loses its melody in a wordy adaptation of the narrative. In the opening scene, instead of simply meeting Peter as he opens the garden gate early one morning, readers weave their way through "the great forest... just outside town" to an "apple tree on the bank of a pond one of the tree's sturdy branches hung above the fence and over a garden." Here, Peter and his friend, the little bird, finally meet. Though the characters remain true to form and the story line of a brave young boy capturing a wild and ravenous wolf remains intact, the essence of Prokofiev's masterpiece, a study in simplicity, is obscured by labyrinthine details. Gukova's (The Blind Fairy) mixed-media illustrations, alive with color and texture, allow for intimate encounters with each of the animals. In one of the most enchanting, as the cat stealthily approaches his potential feathered prey, the duck exits the lower right-hand corner of the spread in a great splash of water while only the reflection of the fleeing bird is visible in the pond. Yet some of the images here may be more menacing than they would be in a listener's imagination. And fans of the original tale will miss the closing sounds of the duck's quacking from inside the wolf's stomach (she's been swallowed whole), which goes unmentioned here. Ages 5-8

Narrator Yadu sets up the classic story by introducing the characters and the individual musical themes that represent each one. His voice has an appealing storytelling quality but is not intrusive. The rich music itself, played by the London Philharmonic, directed by Stephen Simon, takes center stage. Six additional tracks offer such treats as a Russian version of the music and Stephen Simon's descriptions of the way the musical themes and techniques work. Further, Simon's wife, Bonnie, who created the Concerts for Young People at the Kennedy Center, precisely enunciates the biography of the composer, with appropriately chosen classical music in the background. The entire production shows a clear understanding of both children and music. S.W. (c) AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine