Peter and the Wolf CD for a 4 year old

[suzyq]

My father either took me to hear a concert of Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf or played it for me (he was an accompianist) it was a very long time ago but it became a favorite of mine and Prokofiev is one of my favorite composers.

My cousin's grand daughter loves music and I would like to send her a cd - there are so many to choose from - I'd appreciate your help in suggesting a recording that would be fun for her. 

Thanks for helping out.

[eyeresist]

I would recommend against the Dame Edna one on Naxos. It just sounds too bizarre. My favourite is narrated by Richard Baker, but I suppose you would prefer an American accent to his very dry BBC announcer voice. Someone else will have to help you there.

[Xenophanes]

My father either took me to hear a concert of Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf or played it for me (he was an accompianist) it was a very long time ago but it became a favorite of mine and Prokofiev is one of my favorite composers.

My cousin's grand daughter loves music and I would like to send her a cd - there are so many to choose from - I'd appreciate your help in suggesting a recording that would be fun for her. 

Thanks for helping out.

The problem with some CDs of Peter and the Wolf is that they are too dynamic! I have one on Virgin with Sir John Gielgud narrating which has the orchestra louder than the narrator--it's an excellent recording, but not suitable for playing for children, IMHO.   But my wife acquired a Classics for Kids CD at a thrift store which also has the excellent Sir John and an orchestra conducted by Andre Licata which keeps the orchestra more in the background.  It's much more intimate and friendly and Sir John is simply superb. Of course, Sir John has a British accent, but he's very clear and even a 4 year old shouldn't expect a Russian to sound like an American.

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It also has Saint-Saens' Carnival of the Animals and Bizet's Petit suite, but without any narration.

I love the recording Michael Flanders and Efrem Kurtz, but I have it on LP and the CD seems pricy to get used.  I haven't heard Sir Ralph Richardson's classic version--except maybe as a small child, I don't remember, it was so long ago. The CD is really expensive used.

[kishnevi]

As a true alternative:
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I don't own it, but I've heard it on the radio a couple of times.    The narrative is rewritten in an American West setting, with all the characters turned into stereotypical Western movie characters.   (Other than the fact that the narrative was written and spoken by the man who "is" PDQ Bach,  there's no actual link to PDQ Bach.)

This is not of course for all kids--but if your young cousin has any interest in the American West or lives there,  it might be a good choice.

[Mirror Image]

You really can't go wrong with this recording with Bernstein:

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[eyeresist]

I have heard the (a?) Geilgud recording, and was put off because I could hear his dentures moving about in his mouth!

I have the Michael Flanders one, but was turned off by his comment, "and this is the sound of stupid duck." I feel sorry for the duck.


BTW, the Carnival of the Animals with Ogden Nash's verse spoken by Noel Coward is terrific fun, but sadly in archaic sound.

I bought the Naxos box of "children's music" and found the Cinderella / Sleeping Beauty disc to be the outstanding item (the others had flaws like dour or weird narration, or, in the case of 1001 nights (Rimsky's Scheherezade), alternating 10-15 minute passages of speaking and music). I gave a copy of this CD to my sister's kids.
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[mc ukrneal]

I wouldn;t worry too much about the accent - if it is well spoken, it won't matter. I see Sting/Abbado recommended as a good modern version (there is also David Bowie). I also like the version with Sir Ralph Richardson (where I like the fillers much more). Either is available:

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PS: I like the Bernstein recommendation too.

[Holden]

The accent, etc is all irrelevant - for the child it is all about the drama and Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf has it in spades. The younger the child, the greater the drama.

[suzyq]

Thanks for so much for all the great suggestions.

[RJR]

Thanks for so much for all the great suggestions.

I have a French speaking version. It's very good. I have forgotten who recorded it. Gérard Philippe perhaps. Mid 50s.

[Bogey]

The Disney dvd:



My son enjoyed this one at that age:

[Gurn Blanston]

The Disney dvd:

My son enjoyed this one at that age:

I enjoyed the Patrick Stewart one at MY age. Nicely done, and easy to hear and follow. Important to a child AND to a hard of hearing adult.

[springrite]

Avoid the Dr. Ruth one. No English speaking child can understand a single word.

I would go for a Elmer Fudd version if available, though!


PS: On the plus side, at no time did Dr. Ruth mention two of her favorite words: penis and vagina.

[Bogey]

I enjoyed the Patrick Stewart one at MY age. Nicely done, and easy to hear and follow. Important to a child AND to a hard of hearing adult.

Well there you have it....young kids AND adults in their early thirties can enjoy.

[mc ukrneal]

Well there you have it....young kids AND adults in their early thirties older kids can enjoy.

Fixed!

[Bogey]

Fixed!

Actually, I was just making Gurn and I feel a bit more youthful with the "thrity" age. 

[springrite]

Actually, I was just making Gurn and I feel a bit more youthful with the "thrity" age. 

I knew it wasn't the decimal system!

[mc ukrneal]

Actually, I was just making Gurn and I feel a bit more youthful with the "thrity" age. 

I was implying that you and Gurn are just kids - older kids - not adults. Adults are so....adult!  I know, probably trying to be too cute - I do that sometimes.

[Bogey]

I was implying that you and Gurn are just kids - older kids - not adults. Adults are so....adult!  I know, probably trying to be too cute - I do that sometimes.

I believe you are on the money....my wife would back you whole heartedly!

[Gurn Blanston]

I believe you are on the money....my wife would back you whole heartedly!

That's what I was gonna say. Thanks, Neal!