Customer Reviews

David Bowie Narrates Prokofiev's "Peter and the Wolf"

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My 3 1/2 year old son loves to listen to classical music on the radio. I bought this CD for him for Christmas, and it has him transfixed. Bowie's narration is excellent, and the changed ending (though it may offend purists) is much better for the preschool set. Peter and the Wolf is nicely complemented by the Nutcracker. Highly recommened for parents to share with their children.

Prokofiev here produces a rare and fresh musical story for children. A young boy decides one day to push the gate at the bottom of the garden and move into the big wild world and its dangers, a wolf and a cat. The boy is followed by his friend the duck and meets his other friend the bird who is saved by a split-hair chance from the teeth of the cat by Peter's cry of alarm. All dangers in the world are not from the deep forest. But a far worse danger comes from there : the wolf. If Peter is saved by his grandfather who takes him home, the duck is less lucky and ends up in the wolf's stomach. But Peter is looking after things with the help of the bird and they catch the wolf that is then taken to the zoo by the hunters. We are not always saved from dangers by big strong armed men, but mostly by our courage and inventive imagination. And the music tells us to be creative.

This tale is perfectly served by David Bowie's both deep and volatile voice that finds here a brand new field of artistic achievement and multiplies the music's real dramatic dimension, like a confidential story told to the listeners in their deepest ears as if he were an elfish fairy any kid would believe to be true and safe, in a word friendly.

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU

My son's growing obsession with this story has truly sprouted since the purchase of this album.
Oddly enough, I never really knew this story or I don't remember it from my childhood, but once my dear sweet boy discovered it's haunting and charging sound, it's become a staple in my vehicle.

A perfect way to introduce classical music to any child -- tell them a story and have all the parts of the story be different instruments from an orchestra. Beautiful, just beautiful..

Having first had this album on green vinyl no less back in 1977/8 I was not at all suprised to learn that Mr. Bowie had narrated such a classic opera in fact I was very pleased and would listen to it often.

Having played in the public school orchestras for over ten years back then it was also a shot in the arm to know that (at that time) a young teenager could not only identify with classical music and a leading pop idol of the times. Now at the age of forty and with my own children I find it an interesting way for my own to learn about classical music, the Philadelphia Orchestra (5 Stars to them) and Eugene Ormandy (10 stars to him).

As far as the previous review goes don't be dismayed because the ending was changed to siut the narrators needs or whatever, this is hardly as back-handed as what Disney studios has been doing for the past 20 odd years and making much more money doing it.

Buy this if you like the story, the narrator, the conductor or the orchestra, your children (if you have any, and not a prerequisit) will love it and you will too when you share this recording. Not often a fan of cheap RCA records, but at least they kept this one in print.

I love "Peter and the Wolf" and have heard many versions of it in my life- it is truly a classic. I thought this would be the best version I heard since I also like David Bowie, but it was a real disappointment. Bowie apparently decided that it would be more humane for the Wolf if he put it in the zoo! That wasn't very good for the Duck, either. It's funny but the composer, Prokofiev, was once criticized for changing the end of Romeo and Juliet in his ballet- allowing them to live after taking the poison. Now, Bowie has changed Prokofiev's ending to this terrific children's story- in a way, I supposed it's fair play.

The material is just wonderful. Prokofiev's "Peter and the Wolf" is a gem. David Bowie does a nice job because he doesn't act like Bowie. Very understated. My five-year old loves it and likes to fall asleep to it. The other scores are great, too. Kid-friendly scores by Britten and Bernstein. Definitely a great intro to classical music for kids. Adults will like it, too.

I remember being introduced to the idea of classical music telling a story with Peter and the Wolf many, many years ago. As each character in the story appears, its theme (and the instrument playing it) is introduced. Then the story takes over and builds to its climax and resolution with just the right amount of fright and humor for 2-4 year-olds.

Peter is clearly presented as a child who is disobedient and mildly punished for it, but then he is also brave and resourceful in fixing the situation he has caused. Finally is also merciful to the wolf (although he does put the wolf in a zoo, if that really bothers you). So the story has some subtle hints at morality without it being too oppressive.

In this CD version, the narration is clear and the pacing seems very adequate for even 2 year-old's attention. They often ask to hear it again, and they love the picture book I bought to go with it - see another review. They know all the instruments names, and can identify the characters just from hearing the music.

The narration of Peter and the Wolf by David Bowie is fantastic. That is why I ordered the product. I am a music teacher, and want to use this with my young students. However, the Nutcracker tracks are all cut short--each is missing the last several seconds of the recording. Why include this music if you are going to butcher it by cutting it short? If there was not enough time on the CD to include it all, just leave it off! What a waste!

This recording is the best I have found in regards to the balance of the orchestra volumes. Others to which I have listened needed the volume adjusted because either the music was too soft or too loud. David Bowie does a great job at narrating as well.

I admit I do not have this CD, but I do have the vinyl version of this album. It contains just the first two pieces, Peter and Britten's Young Person's Guide... It was released by Columnbia on green translucent vinyl! Combine that with the Red Label that Columbia used and it is quite the colorful Album... I remember that I bought the album for the Britten, big Britten fan here, and partially the novelty of Bowie narrating Peter. The Britten is great, and Peter is very good with the beauty of the Philly strings, which has always been Philly's strong point. If I were looking to replace my vinyl copy, which I am not, I would not hesitate to get this disk.