Children's Classics - Prokofiev: Peter & The Wolf / Saint-Saens: Carnival of the Animals / Britten: Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra (Bernstein Century)

Sergei Prokofiev (Composer), Camille Saint-Saens (Composer), Benjamin Britten (Composer), Leonard Bernstein (Conductor), New York Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: New York Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Leonard Bernstein
• Composer: Sergei Prokofiev, Camille Saint-Saens, Benjamin Britten
• Audio CD (March 31, 1998)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000062CZ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #12,722 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #5 in Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Modern, 20th, & 21st Century > Forms & Genres > Variations
  • #68 in Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Modern, 20th, & 21st Century > Composers

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great CD -- Take if from a music teacher!, February 10, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Children's Classics - Prokofiev: Peter & The Wolf / Saint-Saens: Carnival of the Animals / Britten: Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra (Bernstein Century) (Audio CD)

I am an elementary music teacher, and I use all three of these works in my classroom. "Peter and the Wolf" is a great introduction to classical music for my kindergarten and first grade, and Britten's "Young Persons Guide" is a great way to introduce the instruments of the orchestra. "Carnival of the Animals" is a hit with all of my students.

I have individual recordings of each of these works at school, but I still prefer to bring in my Bernstein CD from home. There is something truly excellent about the Bernstein narration; his calm manner reminds me of another of my heroes, Fred Rogers.

I especially enjoy that Bernstein chose to include young people (ages 13 to 23) in "Carnival of the Animals." The kids are really excited to hear someone close to their age.

Maybe Bernstein isn't new or flashy, but he is a welcome break from the copious flash in my students' lives.

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars My favorite "Young Person's Guide", April 18, 2001

By 

ATP "santamonicaballetmom" (Santa Monica, CA United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Children's Classics - Prokofiev: Peter & The Wolf / Saint-Saens: Carnival of the Animals / Britten: Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra (Bernstein Century) (Audio CD)

While it's true that Bernstein's narration is sometimes awkward, I find even the awkwardness appealing - it's like listening to your childless uncle who doesn't know how to talk to kids. "Peter and the Wolf" brings back childhood memories of acting out the piece with my cousins; the wolf's theme still sounds pleasantly scarey to me. But over the years my favorite piece on this album has become "A Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra," which is narrated not by Bernstein but by a young boy. His clear, simple speaking style is perfect, and nicely paced. By the way, this CD is essentially the same as "Bernstein's Favorites - Children's Classics." The cover art is less cutesy, and the music has been digitally remastered - but on my modest CD player the difference isn't noticeable.

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I have loved this work since I was a child. It is unique., November 13, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Children's Classics - Prokofiev: Peter & The Wolf / Saint-Saens: Carnival of the Animals / Britten: Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra (Bernstein Century) (Audio CD)

Though I have not listened to this recording in 30 years, I can still hear the voice of Mr. Bernstein in my mind (he always sounded like he had allergies). His independent treatment of each of the voices in each segment, is a powerful way to teach a child to hear distinct sub-parts in any classical piece. It is, in my judgement, the finest work of its kind to this day; but that is not its only appeal.

Mr. Bernstein's inspired interpretation of the piece survives as a unique achievement. His use of the double base in the Swan, played by Gary Carr, is like no other, as is their ponderous voice in his visit with the elephants. His construction of the dinosaur bones has a clarity and energy, unlikely to be replicated out of the blase Philharmonic of the latter day.

I anticipate hearing this piece, accompanied by the wonderment on the faces of my children, hearing it for the first time, with tears.