Prokofiev: Peter And The Wolf / Saint-Saëns: Carnival Of The Animals

Sergei Prokofiev (Composer), Camille Saint-Saens (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
• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000025PI
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #86,720 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Leonard Bernstein takes us on a musical journey to two of the beloved classics; "Peter and the Wolf by Prokofiev,"
and "Carnival of the Animals by Saint-Seans."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This Album is Filled with Ups and Downs..., December 28, 2004

By 

Shota Hanai (Torrance, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Prokofiev: Peter And The Wolf / Saint-Saëns: Carnival Of The Animals (Audio CD)

In this CD our host Leonard Bernstein (called Lenny by many) pretty takes us on a musical journey to two of the beloved classic suited for children (and adults alike); "Peter and the Wolf by Prokofiev", and "Carnival of the Animals by Saint-Seans".

Upside - "Peter and the Wolf". This performance of every child's musical storybook is a definite thumbs-up. Lenny's narration, pretty straightforward but never dull, is an absolute delight, and the fact that he actually quizzes on different characters on different instrumetns is quite handy too. Lenny and the New York Phil sums up a a top-notch performance, only matched by a charming performance done by Sting and Claudio Abbado.

Downside - "The Carnival of the Animals", for several reasons (and it's not because of referring "people with long ears" (donkeys of course) as "jack-asses", certainly literal in meaning at the time unlike how we use that term today...).

1) The orchestra - it's apparently not a bad performance, but its unbelievably reckless fast tempo and the lack of musically make the orchestra sounds as if it wants to get the session done with (Levi's version is much more refined and enjoyable).

2) Surrounding noises - a doorslam during "The Swan", and a cough during the finale, just to name a few.

3) Solo for "The Swan" - It's quite acknowledging of the fact that Lenny actually lets talented teenagers/young adults do the solo, but why did he let a double-bass solo play this piece? It's a nice performance alright, but we all expected for a CELLO!!!

Buy this CD only for "Peter and the Wolf"; Levi's version (with poems instead of actual lectures) would do for the "Carnival".

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Peter and the Wolf a worthwhile purchase, September 18, 2002

By 

constant reader "julie" (MA, United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Prokofiev: Peter And The Wolf / Saint-Saëns: Carnival Of The Animals (Audio CD)

My 3 1/2-year-old loves listening to Peter and the Wolf, and has taken to humming the melody for Peter. Bernstein gives a little quiz at the beginning, and right away my son caught on. However, I find Bernstein's tone to be a bit pompous. There are other good recordings out their, including Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops, w/ , I think, Richard Harris narrating. The Carnival of the Animals held no interest for my son--perhaps a bit old for him.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Big Hit with My 2 1/2 Year Old, July 2, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Prokofiev: Peter And The Wolf / Saint-Saëns: Carnival Of The Animals (Audio CD)

Both my daughter and I love this version of Peter and the Wolf, which is greatly enhanced by Leonard Bernstein's commentary. She loves hearing about all the different instruments in addition to listening to the story. It has saved many a long car trip for us. The carnival of the animals is a little over her head, but I enjoy listening to Mr. Bernstein's witty comments.