Customer Reviews

Bernstein Favorites: Children's Classics

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I bought this for "music appreciation" education for my 6 yr. old. I thought it would be challenging to get him, as well as my 2 1/2 and 1 1/2 yr. olds, to let me play it in the car. I also thought it would bore and/or irritate my husband -- so I was nervous a bit. Well, I was completely wrong. We all "love" it.

It is high quality and pleasant to the ears. We play it whenever we are in the car. The narratives in "Peter and the Wolf" and "Carnival of the Animals" are very engaging and hold their attention. At home, my 6 yr. old sits at the dinner table and recites the entire narrative (along with the appropriate tune representing the characters) of Peter and the Wolf -- complete with Bernstein's accent! Great memory/recitation exercise and he does it voluntarily. My two year old asks for it EVERY TIME we're in the car and many times my 1 1/2 yr. old is fussy until we turn it on, then she's as content as can be.

All the kids have picked out characters to "be" in Peter and the Wolf and have assigned them to Mom and Dad. It's a lot of fun. My 2 yr. old always calls out when the cat comes along, "That's me!!" and my 1 1/2 yr. old always says, "Correct!" just before Bernstein does. The littlest to the oldest listen intently and engage with the narrator.

The last piece is my personal favorite, as it introduces each instrument in the orchestra and how it all fits together, and the music is beautiful (the kids like the music too, but prefer "Peter..."). My 6 yr. old has learned a lot from the last piece without realizing it; when I explain instruments of music we hear elsewhere, he calmly informs me, "I know that, Mom."

This fascination with the CD has lasted a long time; we did not just start listening to it last week. I think that reflects on how enjoyable it is for the whole family. My husband has told me repeatedly how glad he is we bought this. It is also a good buy here on Amazon -- I paid several dollars more for it.

Bernstein's comments and his way of narrating the first two pieces (Carnival of the Animals and Peter and the Wolf) was a wonderful way to add to this grand music. I was surprised by his free approach to the music. If you want to hear more of him, Copland's Second Hurricane has him narrating. It's not that great musically though (the Copland). The Britten piece is a favorite for the Children's Special on my local radio station, WGMS 103.5 in DC, along with the other two. Yes, this is a good CD to buy for you and your children. It also features a couple of soon to be hit players such as the acclaimed Paula Robison on the flute. Bernstein had good tastes when it came to picking musicians who are all between the age of 13-23.

My mother bought a vinyl copy of this for my sister and me when we were young. We practically wore it out from constant listening. It also didn't help that we "ballet" danced around the living room while the record was playing. Delighted to know that this recording is now in CD form. Still find the music, and Bernstien's narration, charming.

Excellent, Excellent, Excellent!!!! I remember listening to Peter and the Wolf as a child and loving it. Now that I have three kids of my own, I thought this would be a great purchase. My 5, 3, and 1 year olds love it. Plus if you are a parent who wants your kids to appreciate music, Peter and the Wolf (Leonard Bernstein's narration is the best), The Carnival Of The Animals, and the introduction to the orchestra will give them a goods start. For $6.97 you cannot beat the price, and it would be an affordable and memorable gift to give friends as they begin to raise their own little ones.

Leonard Bernstein did a spectacular job in the narration of Peter and the Wolf. I remember when he did Young Peoples' Concerts many years ago and he made classical music come alive for children.

Great! my granddaughter (age 3) loves it. She listens to it several times aday! We have drawn the characters on a card for her to follow the story. I will keep the Saint Saens (Carnival of the Animals) for later.

My son just turned 3 and absolutely loves Peter & the Wolf. He knows all the animals by heart and listens to it over and over. I grew up with this album and was so happy to find the Leonard Bernstein narration since I think it's the best. Highly recommend it.

Best 4 dollars spent in my entire life. My 4 yr-old son absolutely loves this CD (in the car, he begs to listen to 'Benjamin Britten's drums' again and again -such whining is music to my ears!). Bernstein's narration is charming, though occasionally his explanation of music influences and parallels etc is too academic/intellectualist and not really suitable for young children (esp. in the Saint Saens segment). It is also weird that young musicians aged 18+ yrs are introduced as talented children. But, putting aside Bernstein's hangups, my son loves this CD, especially the Prokopiev and Britten segments (the latter is actually narrated by a child, not Bernstein).

My children and I really enjoy this CD. It has lots of useful information about instruments of the orchestra. The children love the Peter and the Wolf story the most, but the individual instruments section is very interesting for them (and adults) as well!

Fabulous value for lots of material that introduces the orchestral instruments to children. Since we got it, our kids [age 4 & 8] have requested it to be played over and over. they love it!