Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel

Stephen Simon (Conductor), London Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra), Yadu (Performer), the Famous Narrator (Dr. Konrad Czynski) (Performer), Paul Brennan (Performer), Sebastian Simon (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Yadu, the Famous Narrator (Dr. Konrad Czynski), Paul Brennan, Sebastian Simon
• Orchestra: London Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Stephen Simon
• Audio CD (June 15, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Magic Maestro Music/Kids
• ASIN: B0002IOA7Y
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #406,395 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel

2. About the Story

3. Mike Mulligan Song: Learn It, Sing It, Sing Along

4. About the Music

5. Now That You Know a Little More...One More Time: Mike Mulligan and His

6. Want to Have Some Fun? Prepare to Perform

7. Mike Mulligan Song, Accompaniment Only

8. Mike Mulligan Song, Accompaniment Only (Continued)

Editorial Reviews

Susan Hammond, Classical Kids, June 2004

"[This CD] combines the magic of a great story, great narrating, and great music. Wonderful for any family collection!"

Product Description

In the tradition of Peter and the Wolf, Magic Maestro Music/Kids‰ presents Virginia Lee Burton’s beloved children’s tale, Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel®, for narrator and symphony orchestra. The first in the new Stories in Music™ series for children ages five and up, Mike Mulligan® features original music composed and conducted by Stephen Simon, which brings this classic story to life in a fresh, wondrous way. The recording features the London Philharmonic Orchestra, which exposes the child to the magical sounds of a world class orchestra. Mike Mulligan® originally premiered at the Stories in Music™ children’s concert series, produced by Bonnie and Stephen Simon, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Going beyond providing great music and storytelling, Magic Maestro Music/Kids™ also includes a Program Book with Mike Mulligan®, providing background information on the music, composer, author and story. While enjoying this wonderful listening experience, the Stories in Music™ series also helps expand a child’s musical horizons and teaches them how to not just hear, but to listen. This CD has garnered numerous awards and accolades including: Parents' Choice Gold, Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum, iParenting Media HOT, National Association of Parenting Publications (NAPPA) Gold, National Parenting Center Seal of Approval, Teacher's Choice Award. It is also a Booklist's Editor's Choice and was recognized by Child magazine as one of 2004's Top 10 Children's CDs.

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding, December 18, 2004

By 

Susan E. (Chevy Chase, Maryland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel (Audio CD)

I have never written a review before but feel that I have to let others know of this outstanding CD.....was familiar with the story but the music adds so much.....my 3 years old grandson is listening to it endlessly, my daughter is using it in her teaching and as a "young senior", I am humming the "Mike Mulligan" song constantly. The extras and explanations on the tape are superb as is the booklet that comes with the CD......hope that we hear lots more from the Simons.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A creative, musically valuable, beautifully done CD & book, August 17, 2004

By 

Ruth Alice Fitz (Bad Duerkheim, Germany) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel (Audio CD)

This is the most creative, musically valuable, beautifully done children's CD & booklet I have seen. I am a grandmother and have taught instrumental music to children for 30 years and am delighted with the amount and quality of information imparted via entertaining "gentle education", with the familiar and trustworthy yet most informative tone of the speakers and of course with the outstanding musical composition and presentation which has turned Stephen Simon's musical version of Mike Mulligan into an immediate, worthy "classic". Every child should be given the opportunity to grow up with this CD and their parents, grandparents and teachers will enjoy it equally. I hope to see more CDs with "musical stories" coming out from Maestro Simon.This one is at the top of my Christmas gift list for this year.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hurray, hurray for Magic Maestro Music and Stories in Music, August 17, 2004

By 

A. R. Sperling "Concert Manager" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel (Audio CD)

Hurray, hurray for Magic Maestro Music and Stories in Music.

Maestro Stephen Simon and producer Bonnie Ward Simon have given young concert-goers and their parents what is sure to be a "Grammy-winning" release.

Virginia Lee Burton's classic and beloved story of Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel is now heard with symphony orchestra in Stephen Simon's tuneful rendition that follows the Burton book word for word. The music is played by the London Philharmonic Orchestra with a piper soloist... when did you last hear Irish pipes with symphony orchestra, and conductor/composer Stephen Simon has the friendly voice of Yadu narrating the story.

This CD is much more than just a recording; the disc is boxed with a fun, entertaining and educational program book that includes music, games and background on the author, composer and soloists.

Once you hear the Mike Mulligan tune you will be singing it all day, and waiting for more releases to follow in the Stories in Music series.

Stop, look and listen... this release is not to be missed!
Amy R. Sperling
New York, NY