Speaker [CD-single]

Speaker [CD-single]

Track Listings

1. Speaker

2. Sneaker

Tracks:

Peter And The Wolf: Introduction
Peter And The Wolf: The Story Begins
Peter And The Wolf: The Bird
Peter And The Wolf: The Duck, Dialogue With The Bird, Attack Of The Cat
Peter And The Wolf: Grandfather
Peter And The Wolf: The Wolf
Peter And The Wolf: The Duck Is Caught
Peter And The Wolf: The Wolf Stalks The Bird And The Cat
Peter And The Wolf: Peter Prepares To Catch The Wolf
Peter And The Wolf: The Bird Diverts The Wolf
Peter And The Wolf: Peter Catches The Wolf
Peter And The Wolf: The Hunters Arrive
Peter And The Wolf: The Procession To the Zoo
Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra: Theme: Full Orchestra
Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra: Theme: Woodwinds
Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra: Theme: Brass
Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra: Theme: Strings
Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra: Theme: Percussion
Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra: Theme: Full Orchestra
Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra: Variation I: Flute, Piccolo (Presto)
Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra: Variation II: Oboes (Lento)
Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra: Variation III: Clarinets (Moderato)
Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra: Variation IV: Bassoons (Allegro alla marcia)
Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra: Variation V: Violins (Brilliante alla pollaca)
Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra: Variation VI: Violas (Meno mosso)
Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra: Variation VII: Cellos
Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra: Variation VIII: Double basses (Cominciando lento, ma poco accel.)
Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra: Variation IX: Harp (Maestoso)
Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra: Variation X: French Horns (L' istesso tempo)
Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra: Variation XI: Trumpets (Vivace)
Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra: Variation XII: Trombones & Tuba (Allegro pomposo)
Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra: Variation XIII: Percussion (Moderato)
Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra: Fugue: Full Orchestra
The Nutcracker Suite: Overture
The Nutcracker Suite: March
The Nutcracker Suite: Dance Of The Sugar-Plum Fairy
The Nutcracker Suite: Russian Dance
The Nutcracker Suite: Arabian Dance
The Nutcracker Suite: Chinese Dance
The Nutcracker Suite: Dance Of The Mirlitons
The Nutcracker Suite: Waltz Of The Flowers

Customer Reviews:

Great telling of a classic story as a classical music introduction.......2007-01-04

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.

Excellent for kids and adults.......2006-11-04

A very good version of the original. Bowie's voice is just right and the orchestra is right on. Excellent to demonstrate to kids the different instruments in a orchestra and a good story as well. I listened to it when I was young and also now when I am old. It still is great to listen to the music and the story telling.

Dont have this CD but have the vinyl.......2004-05-26

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.

My son's discovery of classical music.......2003-05-17

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..

David Bowie tells us a fearful story.......2002-08-09

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.

Tracks:

Peter and the Wolf
The Carnival Of The Animals: I - Introduction And Royal March Of The Lion
The Carnival Of The Animals: II - Hens And Cocks
The Carnival Of The Animals: III - Mules
The Carnival Of The Animals: IV - Tortoises
The Carnival Of The Animals: V - The Elephant
The Carnival Of The Animals: VI - Kangaroos
The Carnival Of The Animals: VII - Aquarium
The Carnival Of The Animals: VIII - Personages With Long Ears
The Carnival Of The Animals: IX - The Cuckoo In The Woods
The Carnival Of The Animals: X - Aviary
The Carnival Of The Animals: XI - Pianists
The Carnival Of The Animals: XII - Fossils
The Carnival Of The Animals: XIII - The Swan
The Carnival Of The Animals: XIV - Finale
The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra (Variations And Fugue On A Theme By Purcell): Allegro maestoso e largamente (Full Orchestra)
The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra (Variations And Fugue On A Theme By Purcell): Theme B (Woodwinds)
The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra (Variations And Fugue On A Theme By Purcell): Theme C (Brass)
The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra (Variations And Fugue On A Theme By Purcell): Theme D (Strings)
The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra (Variations And Fugue On A Theme By Purcell): Theme E (Percussion)
The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra (Variations And Fugue On A Theme By Purcell): Theme F (Full Orchestra)
The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra (Variations And Fugue On A Theme By Purcell): Variation A (Piccolo & Flutes)
The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra (Variations And Fugue On A Theme By Purcell): Variation B: Lento (Oboes)
The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra (Variations And Fugue On A Theme By Purcell): Variation C: Moderato (Clarinets)
The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra (Variations And Fugue On A Theme By Purcell): Variation D: Allegro alla marcia (Bassoons)
The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra (Variations And Fugue On A Theme By Purcell): Variation E: Brillante - alla polacca (Violins)
The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra (Variations And Fugue On A Theme By Purcell): Variation F: Meno mosso (Violas)
The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra (Variations And Fugue On A Theme By Purcell): Variation G (Cellos)
The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra (Variations And Fugue On A Theme By Purcell): Variation H: Communinciando lento ma poco a poco accel. al Allegro (Double basses)
The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra (Variations And Fugue On A Theme By Purcell): Variation I: Maestoso (Harp)
The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra (Variations And Fugue On A Theme By Purcell): Variation J: L'istesso tempo (French Horns)
The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra (Variations And Fugue On A Theme By Purcell): Variation K: Vivace (Trumpets)
The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra (Variations And Fugue On A Theme By Purcell): Variation L: Allegro pomposo (Trombones & Tuba)
The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra (Variations And Fugue On A Theme By Purcell): Variation M: Moderato (Percussion)
The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra (Variations And Fugue On A Theme By Purcell): Fugue: Allegro molto (Full Orchestra)

Customer Reviews:

Brings back old memories.......2007-05-13

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.

Could be better.......2007-03-29

I am a little dissappointed with Bernstein's narration of Peter and the Wolf. I prefer the Disney rendition with Sterling Holloway. Bernstein didn't seem to put much drama into it, he sounded distracted and it just plain fell flat. The music was fine, and he did much better with The Carnival of Animals.

Surprised at how wonderful this is -- a huge hit!.......2007-03-18

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.

Leonard Bernstein and Peter and the Wolf.......2006-11-10

I listened to this recording as a child and now will pass it on to my child!

Peter and the Wolf, Prokovief read by L. Bernstein.......2006-02-25

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.

Average customer rating:

This is the one you're looking for!
a beautiful recording
The most imaginary performance of Peter and Wolf
Peter & The Wolf - and David Bowie, too!

Prokofiev: Peter and the Wolf

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Peter And The Wolf
Classics for Kids
Classical Music for Children: A Toddler's Introduction to Classical Music
Peter and the Wolf
Prokofiev: Peter and the Wolf; Britten: Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra Op34

ASIN: B000003FPB
Release Date: 1994-05-10

Tracks:

Peter And The Wolf: Introduction
Peter And The Wolf: The Story Begins
Peter And The Wolf: The Bird
Peter And The Wolf: The Duck, Dialogue with the bird, Attack of the Cat
Peter And The Wolf: Grandfather
Peter And The Wolf: The Wolf
Peter And The Wolf: The Duck Is Caught
Peter And The Wolf: The Wolf Stalks The Bird And The Cat
Peter And The Wolf: Peter Prepares To Catch The Wolf
Peter And The Wolf: The Bird Diverts The Wolf
Peter And The Wolf: Peter Catches The Wolf
Peter And The Wolf: The Hunters Arrive
Peter And The Wolf: The Procession To The Zoo
Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra: Theme: Full Orchestra
Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra: Theme: Woodwinds
Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra: Theme: Brass
Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra: Theme: Strings
Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra: Theme: Percussion
Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra: Theme: Full Orchestra
Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra: Variation I: Flute, Piccolo (Presto)
Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra: Variation II: Oboes (Lento)
Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra: Variations III: Clarinets (Moderato)
Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra: Variation IV: Bassoons (Allegro alla marcia)
Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra: Variations V: Violins (Brillante alla pollaca)
Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra: Variations VI: Violas (Meno mosso)
Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra: Variation VII: Cellos
Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra: Variation VIII: Doublebasses (Comminicando lento, ma pocco accel.)
Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra: Variation IX: Harp (maestoso)
Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra: Variation X: French Horns (Il stesso tempo)
Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra: Variation XI: Trumpets (Vivace)
Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra: Variation XII: Trombones & Tuba (Allegro pomposo)
Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra: Variation XIII: Percussion (Moderato)
Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra: Fugue: Full Orchestra (Allegro molto)
Carnival Of The Animals: Introduction
Carnival Of The Animals: Royal March Of The Lion
Carnival Of The Animals: Hens And Cocks
Carnival Of The Animals: Wild Horses
Carnival Of The Animals: Tortoise
Carnival Of The Animals: The Elephant
Carnival Of The Animals: Kangaroos
Carnival Of The Animals: Aquarium
Carnival Of The Animals: Personages With Long Ears
Carnival Of The Animals: The Cuckoo In The Depth Of The Forest
Carnival Of The Animals: Aviary
Carnival Of The Animals: Pianists
Carnival Of The Animals: Fossils
Carnival Of The Animals: The Swan
Carnival Of The Animals: Finale

Customer Reviews:

This is the one you're looking for!.......2003-08-14

We took our children to the Santa Cruz Symphony's production of Peter and the Wolf. Since the concert, they have been very interested in this classical music collection and listen to it regularly. We purchased this CD and the book "Peter and The Wolf" by Vagin Vladimir (fabulous illustrations). Together, they're a charming gift that any child will love and it could very well be their introduction to classical music for a lifetime.

a beautiful recording.......2002-06-11

David Bowie's voice is wonderful in this beautiful recording of Peter and the Wolf. the orchestra is rich and full and alive.

The most imaginary performance of Peter and Wolf.......2001-08-14

The version of Eugene Ormandy conducting The Philadelphia Orchestra has most youthful and imaginary reading of Peter and Wolf. The color and the flare of the story is vividly drawn out. The orchestral sound are warm, delight and dynamic. Thanks RCA for reserving this musical artistry and rematster it.

Peter & The Wolf - and David Bowie, too!.......2000-01-27

This CD is one of my family's favorites. From the soothing voice of David Bowie (yes, THAT David Bowie!) unfolds the delightful story of Peter and his menagerie of animal friends and foes. The orchestration is simply beautiful, the reading expressive and vibrant, and the story a classic. I would highly recommend this CD - as it also includes two other pieces that will delight music lovers of all ages.

Average customer rating:

Carlin's Best Pure Comedy!
Great Stuff
Funny
another .......... review "thing-a-ma-bobber "
A Carlin Classic

Class Clown
George Carlin
Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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FM & AM
A Place for My Stuff!
Parental Advisory: Explicit Lyrics
Occupation: Foole
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ASIN: B00004X0OH
Release Date: 2000-09-12

Tracks:

Class Clown: Bi-Labial Fricative/Attracting Attention/Squeamish
Wasted Time - Sharing A Swallow
Values (How Much Is That Dog Crap in The Window?)
I Used To Be Irish Catholic
The Confessional
Special Dispensation - Heaven, Hell, Purgatory And Limbo
Heavy Mysteries
Muhammad Ali - America The Beautiful
Seven Words You Can Never Say On Television

Customer Reviews:

Carlin's Best Pure Comedy!.......2007-03-13

This was the best of George's pure comedy albums before his humor started having a lot of political commentary mixed in. This was the the album that established Carlin as the best comedian since Lenny Bruce. Is is amazing that when this was released his Seven Words You Can't Say on TV sent shockwaves throughout the industry. Compared to some of the comedians appearing on HBO, this is extremely tame. Also extremely gut wrenching funny!

I loved the bits about the novelty shop with the artificial vomit and the Catholic school stories are hilarious even for those of us who went to public school. A true masterpiece!

Great Stuff.......2006-05-23

This is when Carlin was at his best, pointing out the ridiculousness (sp?) of modern life without falling into angry rants every couple of secons. The "7 Words" segment is one of the best bits of comedy EVER! Listen to this and his other material that pre-dates "You're All Diseased". Here we can listen to a comic genius in his prime, before he became a preacher. I rank this CD up there with "No Cure for Cancer" and other comically brilliant stand-up routines.

Funny.......2005-11-02

This guy doesn't quite get life, but his logical mind makes some great observations about inconsistencies and things most of us have not noticed. What an imagination. I saw Carlin in Minneapolis in 1987. The experience was worth the money. There is no one like Carlin.

another .......... review "thing-a-ma-bobber " .......2004-08-17

In this album, you will find that George talks a lot about naughty stuff, and probably some you might not even "get". George grew up in New York if it means anything to you. Preferably, my favorite material on here is where he acts like a guy in a confessional with Father Rivera, and "Sharing A Swallow". You probably won't find this in stores because of how old it is, but if you ARE lucky enough to find it, or get it from Amazon.com, you will be glad you did, C-3PO!

A Carlin Classic.......2004-07-25

Anyone who remembers childhood with reasonable clarity (there are a few of us) remembers this: they taught you stuff in school, but you didn't always learn anything...especially if you had guys like George Carlin in your class. Carlin, who attended Corpus Christi School in New York, was a confirmed Class Clown, and he remembers those days in an album full of sidesplitting humor.

Caveat Number One: this is not the modern Carlin I'm talking about, the crotchety curmudgeon who is still very funny, but relies overmuch on four-letter words, cynicism, and pessimism. This is Carlin at the peak of his transformation from family-friendly Ed Sullivan entertainer to counterculture comic genius. His style at the time (the early to mid 1970's) was gentler, sillier; he was less likely to sneer, and more willing to smile, on these earlier releases. He delivered all the trenchant social observations and criticisms that show up in his later work--but here his humor seems more chiding, more cajoling, and less misanthropic. Instead of shouting at you, he speaks to you. The difference between the younger Carlin and the one we know today is more remarkable the more you think about it.

Class Clown is that remarkable man's best album. It weaves together fond childhood reminiscences of, and serious questions about, his Catholic upbringing; he combines them with sharp-eyed social commentary about Vietnam, pollution and Lenny Bruce-like observations on American standards. The Bruce influence comes through strongest, perhaps not surprisingly, when Carlin quotes him in "Values (How Much Is That Dog Crap In The Window?)." He goes off on a very Lenny-like reminiscence about growing up seeing the fake dog poop in the windows of novelty stores (and I just lost everyone under the age of 30 with that sentence); he wonders how one goes about buying it ("I'd like to see something in a dog crap, please!"), and speculates that there might be collectors of different breeds ("Do you have any Saint Bernard?" "Yes, but there's no room in the window for that...") Strange stuff, to be sure--and that really defines Carlin at this stage in his career. He was willing to be as weird as possible in pursuit of laughter.

He was also more willing to draw on real life (which he astutely recognized as generally being stranger than anything he could think up) than he is today. And both of those attributes--the willingness to find humor in his life, and the willingness to be as goofy as possible while doing it--make Class Clown a comedy milestone. A good example is one of my favorite moments, also one of the biggest laughs. Carlin, riffing on the weird noises class clowns make, talks about "popping the cheek," does it once or twice to illustrate-and then takes the joke to its goofy extreme by inviting the entire audience to do it too. The resulting noise is delightful--doubly so when the audience, hearing it, dissolves into hysterical laughter. That's something I really miss with Carlin, by the way. He used to invite his audiences along for the ride, daring them to be part of the act instead of just passive observers, and let them know it was all right to laugh at themselves as well as his jokes. That kind of gentle good humor is largely gone from his act, and I think it's our loss.

There's a lot of that gentle humor on Class Clown, most notably in his monologues about the progressive Irish Catholic school he attended. In the latter part of his career, Carlin has become somewhat rabid and one-sided about organized religion (and I have a definite opinion about his attitude, but they don't belong in this review so I'll spare you). On this album, though, Carlin is more willing to poke fun at his former religion, rather than make fun of it and hold it up to unfair ridicule. His harshest joke--"I used to be Irish Catholic...now I'm an American; you know, you grow..."--is the springboard for a series of fond, funny reminiscences about growing up Catholic. He recalls the environs, the school, and most of all the priests. It's obvious he has many affectionate memories of them from the way he talks about them, and it's equally apparent he bears them no ill will (unlike the modern Carlin, who seems to harbor ill will for everyone but himself). His funniest bit here is "Heavy Mystery Time," in which an Irish Catholic boy concocts an increasingly outrageous set of circumstances, in order to remove the sinfulness from a sin. There's nothing mean-spirited about it, nothing done with the intention of hurting anybody--it's just one man's delightful recollection of how boys behave, and how adults react to them.

That's really the heart of Class Clown--it's about the antic joy of childhood in a gentler time. Carlin's astute, wickedly funny observations about people and events are informed throughout the album by that gentleness, that antic, not-quite-lunatic pleasure. That aspect of George Carlin the performer is all but gone today, a reflection perhaps of the gentleness that is gone from our society-and more's the pity, as it's something I wish he (and we) had retained. But if you want to see what the man used to be like when he was an unadulterated genius instead of just pretty effin' funny, then listen to this album. I guarantee you'll be pleasantly surprised.

(Caveat Number Two: Carlin swore less then than he does now, but there is a lot of adult humor and language here--especially the final track, the legendary "Seven Words You Can Never Say On Television" routine. The difference between then and now is that Carlin used to use swear words to examine our values and attitudes towards language; today he just uses swear words. Decide for yourself which is more appropriate.)

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

Average customer rating:

Welcome to A Day in My Classroom
Orchestra Guide Music
Good Music But Poor Story Telling!
Great CD -- Take if from a music teacher!
A Parent

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

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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Classical Music 101: A Complete Guide to Learning and Loving Classical Music

ASIN: B0000062CZ
Release Date: 1998-03-31

Tracks:

Peter and the Wolf, Op.67 - Leonard Bernstein/New York Phil
Carnival of the Animals: Introduction and Royal March of the Lion - Leonard Bernstein/New York Phil/Ruth&Naomi Segal
Carnival of the Animals: Hens and Cocks - Leonard Bernstein/New York Phil/Ruth&Naomi Segal
Carnival of the Animals: Wild Asses - Leonard Bernstein/New York Phil/Ruth&Naomi Segal
Carnival of the Animals: Tortoises - Leonard Bernstein/New York Phil/Ruth&Naomi Segal
Carnival of the Animals: The Elephant - Leonard Bernstein/New York Phil/Ruth&Naomi Segal
Carnival of the Animals: Kangaroos - Leonard Bernstein/New York Phil/Ruth&Naomi Segal
Carnival of the Animals: Aquarium - Leonard Bernstein/New York Phil/Ruth&Naomi Segal/David Hopper
Carnival of the Animals: Personages with Long Ears - Leonard Bernstein/New York Phil/Ruth&Naomi Segal
Carnival of the Animals: The Cuckoo in the Heart of the Woods - Leonard Bernstein/New York Phil/Ruth&Naomi Segal/Paul Green
Carnival of the Animals: Aviary - Leonard Bernstein/New York Phil/Ruth&Naomi Segal/Paula Robison
Carnival of the Animals: Paianists - Leonard Bernstein/New York Phil/Ruth&Naomi Segal
Carnival of the Animals: Fossils - Leonard Bernstein/New York Phil/Ruth&Naomi Segal/Paul Green/Tony Cirone
Carnival of the Animals: The Swan - Leonard Bernstein/New York Phil/Ruth&Naomi Segal/Gary Karr
Carnival of the Animals: Final - Leonard Bernstein/New York Phil/Ruth&Naomi Segal
Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell, Op.34: Theme A. Allegro maestoso e largamente (Full Orch
Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell, Op.34: Theme B. (Woodwinds)
Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell, Op.34: Theme C. (Brass)
Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell, Op.34: Theme D. (Strings)
Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell, Op.34: Theme E. (Percussion)
Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell, Op.34: Theme F. (Full Orch)
Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell, Op.34: Variation A. (Piccolo&Flutes)
Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell, Op.34: Variation B. Lento (Oboes)
Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell, Op.34: Variation C. Moderato (Clarinets)
Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell, Op.34: Variation D. Allegro alla marcia (Bassoons)
Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell, Op.34: Variation E. Brillante - alla polacca (Violins)
Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell, Op.34: Variation F. Meno mosso (Violas)
Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell, Op.34: Variation G. (Cellos)
Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell, Op.34: Variation H. Comminciando lento ma poco a poco...
Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell, Op.34: Variation I. Maestoso (Harp)
Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell, Op.34: Variation J. L'istesso tempo (French Horns)
Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell, Op.34: Variation K. Vivace (Trumpets)
Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell, Op.34: Variation L. Allegro pomposo (Trombones&Tuba)
Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell, Op.34: Variation M. Moderato (Percussion)
Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell, Op.34: Fugue. Allegro molto (Full Orch)

Amazon.com

As one would expect from the man who made Young People's Concerts famous, Leonard Bernstein's vintage 1960 treatment of this classic kids' piece is magically engaging. Lenny narrates it himself, and draws a radiant performance from the Philharmonic. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

Welcome to A Day in My Classroom.......2007-07-11

I'm starting each morning listening to Leonard Bernstein....teaching summer school with my Migrant 1st graders way out on a coast in CA almost on one of the the Channel Islands. Going over to Anacapa is right now going straight as an eagle from this perch, it lies just there, from where I sit right now. I'm longing to go walk there, to walk by myself in a gray unfocused morning. I love islands in many ways, all but in one way, isolation can be so very lonely. Can be reflective....opps off topic.... And this morning we are listening to pieces from this CD, it is so rich...so richly layered with fossils and bones of my days growing up in an childhood orchestra..in town with this provided by community for children. Here where I am in Oxnard in my hood it is a desert of none of this for my baby "poor" kids. No one is coming in to teach them the beauty of this music, so I resort to this CD (and other pieces) to try weave my tapestry threadbare it is. I absolutely love this as a way to calm, and bring music to children. Music so dear to me, so classic I find words evade me. I feel it.
He narrates the orchestra pieces introducing the stories, themes, giving away the inside jokes for those of us unable to know them, pointing at the musical possibilities and the invention used by the composers. I'll save playing the 1st Peter and the Wolf for now, I associate it with winter. But as a child I narrated this(Peter and the Wolf I mean) using this text so it also is a bit startling, four seasons I think for our community orchestra presentations-well had my parts to narrate(all school classes bussed in to see it) under Mrs. Portenoy whose husband was the University conductor. An excellent and exacting one. Enid Portenoy was also my dance teacher. (Something Dad said was free association dance, or running around like mustangs when he'd pick me up on time to see us finish with our gallop- to him an utter waste of time -which to this day I remember as time well spent). Four years old to 14 I so benefited from this family's role in developing community orchestra in Morgantown, WVa.In showing me pieces that are found on this CD.

I find Bernstein's voice here a delight, and his insights so warm. And a bit quirky too. In that very, very good way.I love his voice actually. It hesitates and has a kind of awkward touch. And of course it's a voice from my key of life. At one point he tells one bit about musical story in the Carnival as we await the Swan, so unexpected on double bass....yet it sings in beauty. Able to solo on something no one else can imagine possible.
No one could imagine.
In those Saint-Saens narrations one also finds the word...finds Jackasses,(teacher may need to know that) and in the Jackasses piece also finds the the Cookoo. I play both parts daily and love this for a perfect description of myself. Really it's worth the listen. Any parent or teacher should own this for children. Great riding in a car.. Please. Rather hard for the 2nd language students, perhaps....right now..... the Saint-Saens is cracking me up. They WILL get it, one day. I will help.

I'll use this every morning, over and over and over and over until as if by magic we gain insights, understandings. But the breath and beauty is just remarkable to me. Some do see with calculated eye. Within the music which plays through my being is the artistry that has me so soul enraptured. With my violin I will try a bit of this tomorrow for us. In person.

Orchestra Guide Music.......2006-11-04

Classical children's introduciton to orchestral music; this version is well-performed, and eminently suitable for portable CD players.

Good Music But Poor Story Telling!.......2005-08-09

Bernstein is usually good at communicating the essence of classical Music.Listen to his exposition of Beethoven's 3rd Symphony in the sony classical Release-"How A Great Symphony was Written".Here however he seems to be totally confused whether he is the conductor or Story Teller and struggles to make a Start!He starts tentatively with a Quiz!
For a superb story telling and terrific performance I strongly recommend Lorin Maazel with the French National Orchestra,A DG release(MUSIKFEST LABEL).The narration by Alec Clunes is absolutely delightful.Thank you very much Mr Alec Clunes!The voice modulation and characterisation is spontaneous and infectitious!Lorin maazel does a neat job with Britten's "Young Person's Guide to The Orchestra".Highly recommended for repeated Listening.

Great CD -- Take if from a music teacher!.......2004-02-11

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.

A Parent.......2001-08-21

It's a five star in my 4 year-old's eyes. She absolutely loves Peter and the Wolf. The best CD I've bought her yet.
Update: Now over a year later, my daughter still loves this CD. She has me play it for her EVERY DAY when I take her home from kindergarten. We've sampled other versions, but we both think that Bernstein's version is the BEST. In spite of the other reviewer's opinion, we believe he did a masterful job "telling" the story rather that sounding like he's reading it. The instrumental performance is superior and never loses her interest. Some of the other versions sound like they were recorded in a tin can. This one is superb.
She likes the Carnival of the Animals (esp. the LION), but she prefers Peter and the Wolf.

Tracks:

Requiem: Dies Irae
Carmina Burana: O Fortuna
The Planets: Mars
The Ride Of The Valkyries
Chorus Of The Hebrew Slaves
Fanfare For The Common Man
Pomp And Circumstance March No. 1
Aida: Grand March
Summer - Four Seasons: Presto
Te Deum: Prelude
The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra
Toccata And Fugue In D Minor
Symphony No. 5: First Movement
Spartacus: Adagio
Sabre Dance
Symphony No. 40: First Movement
Zadok The Priest
Turandot: Nessun Dorma

Tracks:

Also Sprach Zarathoustra
Romeo And Juliet: Dance Of The Knights
Requiem: Dies Irae
1812 Overture
Piano Concerto
Spring - Four Seasons: Allegro
Messiah: Hallelujah Chorus
The Royal Fireworks: La Ruissance From Music
Flight Of The Bumble Bee
Symphonie Fantastique: March To The Scaffold
Carmen: Overture
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
Jerusalem
The Planets: Jupiter
Symphony No 9, 'Ode To Joy'
Swan Lake: Scene
Enigma Variations: Nimrod
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini [Variation 18]
Pictures At An Exibitions: Promenade
Symphony For Organ No 3: Finale, Symphony For Organ No 3

Customer Reviews:

perfect selection for commencement/ graduation.......2007-06-11

We were concerned after reading some other reviews that this version of Pomp and Circumstance wouldn't be the correct movement or the full length version. This selection has the song for graduation AND the extended length, so it gives plenty of time for processionals. If this is what you need, this is the CD to get.

Great Starting Point for Classical Music Novices.......2004-08-13

"Simply the Best Classicial Anthems" is exactly what the title indicates. This is a collection of what the CD says are "36 of the most powerful classics on Earth". My review of this CD comes from someone who is a Classical Music Novice. I'm familiar with some of the composers, musical styles, musical periods, and some of the terminology that is key to understanding Classical Music. By no means am I an expert. I have basically popped in this two CD collection into my player and have enjoyed the sounds it produces. If you are in the same category as I am or maybe just wanting to be introduced to Classical Music - this is going to be a very good CD to have in your collection. For the more seasoned Classical Music fan, this could be either enjoyable or overkill.

The CD contains 36 songs composed by the legends of Classical Music Composers from the past. The bulk of the works come from Composers in the the 19th and 20th century, but there are works from the Romantic and Classical eras of the late 18th and early 19th century (such as Beethoven and Mozart). In general you will find most of the major names of Composers you would expect to find - names such as Tchiakovsky, Handel, Verdi, Strauss, Elgar, and Bach are all there. The only major composer who I would have expected to see on this CD that I don't see is Frederic Chopin. The composers of the late 20th century are not included on this collection - so you won't see Leonard Bernstein or John Williams on this set. While these Composers are excellent, I do think style of the tracks on this collection pre-date their style.

The recordings themselves are done by the great Orchestras around the world. For the most part, European Orchestras were used to deliver the tracks. There are a few exceptions: The Chicago Symphony Orchestra delivers "The Ride of the Valkyries"; The Toronto Symphony Orchestra delivers "Dance of the Knights"; and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra delivers Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture". Some of the European Orchestras that are well known include: BBC Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic, Bolshoi Symphony Orchestra, Choeur Philhamonique de Strasbourg, and more. Also included are performances by well known names in the Classical space such as Marie-Claire Alain (Bach's "Toccate and Fogue in D Minor" and Saint-Saens' "Symphony for Organ No 3"), Piero Toso (Vivaldi's "Allegro From Spring - Four Seasons"), and Placido Domingo appears on Puccini's "Nessun Dorma".

The 2 Disc collection contains a total of over 2 hours and 6 minutes of music. The selections that are included in the set will sound very familiar to you when you play them. You probably have both heard and seen the names of tracks such as: Oref's "O Fortuna"; Copland's "Fanfare for the Common Man"; Beethoven's "First Movement from Symphony Number 5" and "Ode To Joy"; Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance", and Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture". Many of the other tracks will also sound familiar, but maybe not so much by name - such as Wagner's "The Ride of the Valkyries", Strauss' Also Sprach Zarathoustra"; Grieg's "Piano Concerto", and "Dies Irae" (versions included by Mozart and Verdi - you can compare the two and judge for yourself). As for the Discs themselves, I think most of the casual fans will like the selections on Disc Two better, but Disc One is still very good. On a sidebar, the Israel Philharmonic's version of "1812 Overture" is by far the best you will hear - particularly at the end, the booming drums create almost a 3 dimensional vision of fireworks being launched into the air.

There one big negative on this collection is some of the recording quality. The clarity of the recording is there, but some of the recording levels leave a lot to be desired. On some of the softer parts, it is barely audible without significantly turning up your volume. This is very evident on "O Fortuna" where you will hear almost dead silence during from the 30 second to 1:30 mark of the track unless you crank your volume up. Same with the first few seconds of Strauss' "Also Sprach Zarathoustra" and Tchiakovsky's "1812 Overture". When the volume is cranked up you will hear them - but then the other sections will be way too loud. I'm surprised with modern technology that this couldn't be addressed better.

The liner notes are pretty thin. You do get the Composers, Performers/Orchestras, and recording dates. There isn't any more details than that and you won't learn anymore insight on the tracks than this information. Despite some of the shortcomings of the liner notes and recording volume, I still think this is an excellent place to start and do recommend this CD if you are a novice to Classical Music and are looking for a great place to start listening to what the Classics have to offer.

**An Exquisite Album**.......2004-02-21

Simply The Best Classical Anthems

Simply The Best Classical Anthems is a compilation album of `36 of the most powerful Anthems on Earth'. But, it is also said to be something else. It is said to be a gateway. A gateway to another world. A world where our imagination can run free without being shackled down by any borders or boundaries or rules or limits. A world that we have all seen or perhaps more accurately have all heard of but for many of us a world that we have never dared to enter. Never dared to enter because of fear. The fear of being ostracised and shunned by our community.

THE MYTH
`Classical Music!', I can hear some of you cry. `That isn't another world. That's just music for the upperclass, the high-brow, and the pompous.' Surprisingly, I too felt this way for a long time until I accepted the invitation made to me by Simply The Best Classical Anthems. I always felt that Classical Music was nice to listen to as background music for a Levis ad or a Car ad but I would consider people strange if they chose to hear it on its own. However, after having listened to this album I realised how wrong I was in my assumptions.

THE TRUTH
Music as with all forms of amusement helps to take you away from where you are now. It helps to relax you when you are stressed with anger; it helps to give you strength when you are vulnerable; it helps to keep your spirits up when you have faced tragedy or loss. It helps. And, for me the type of music that best conjures up the most passionate emotions (love, hate, courage and anger) at our most testing times is Classical Music.
How? I don't know.
Why? I don't know.
I can only promise you that in my experience it does.

THE CHEST
The album, in visual terms, is very difficult to overlook amongst the plethora of records that may surround it. This is because the album has a very distinct purple sleeve cover. Not any kind of purple mind you but the Cadbury's kind of purple. The kind of purple that carries with it an invitation. An invitation that if accepted promises you a treasure inside.
And since, I have always enjoyed the treasure within the purple Cadbury's Dairy Milk wrapper, I asked myself why would an album carrying the same invitation promise to be anything different? Thus, I parted with my tuppence worth and went back home to open this purple chest of promised treasures.

THE PROMISED TREASURE
As you may have guessed, the contents of the album are somewhat different to the contents of a Cadbury's bar. When I opened the album, I was presented with two compact discs. At first glance, there did not seem to be anything special about them. They were just your average, everyday, run of the mill compact discs. To tell you the truth, I was a bit disappointed because I suppose I had hoped for something more.
However, looks can be deceptive. (Afterall, a Cadbury's Dairy Milk does not seem very appetising until you taste it!) And, also come November each year, I am always bemused and surprised at how the shabby contents of a cardboard box can both light up the sky and light up the faces of the neighbourhood. Thus, I pushed aside my assumptions and I ignited the discs (not literally of course, I just pressed the play button on the CD player). And, I let the fireworks begin.

THE KEY
From the very beginning, you will feel like you have unlocked the doorway to something special. And, after a full two hours of listening to both discs, you will feel like you have been taken out of this world and transported to another. Welcome to the world of Classical Music.

GUIDANCE
In the beginning, continue to listen to both discs in one go (i.e. one after the other). After a while, you will know which tracks you enjoy listening to the most. For those tracks you enjoyed the most make a promise to yourself that you will listen to the whole of the piece from which that track came from.
Good Luck on your quest if you choose to accept it.
Ride amongst the Valkyries, listen to the Flight of the Bumblebees, and use The Planets to keep you on the path.

I am not a good reviewer because as with all of my reviews I refuse to comment too much about what is inside the product but rather more about what effect the product has had on me. (Me, me, me. Vain & Egotistic, I know, so my friends and family keep telling me). But, I just want to cause a raucous about the product, enough not to spoil but enough of a raucous to let you experience it for yourself.

So my final words are:
Simply The Best Classical Anthems is an invitation. An invitation to the world of classical music. A world where you can begin a never-ending quest of curiosity. A curiosity that will always be rewarded with fulfilment.

Do you accept such an invitation?

Hope you found this review helpful.

Samples.......2003-11-23

The samples are too short and the quality leaves a lot to be desired. Having said that the choices are wonderful and the price is great. If you're looking for a overview of the best of classical music then this is for you. However if it's quality you're looking for then spent the extra money and look at other choices.

Great Sampler!.......2002-03-20

This is a good sampler, since it covers what you would want in a classical music CD. Looking at the tracks, it has the classic hits, such as "Ride of the Valkyries," "Toccata and Fugue," "Fanfare for the Common Man," "'Jupiter' from `The Planets,'" "Eine Klein Nachtmusik," and "Hallelujah Chorus."

There are also some new pieces that I have fallen in love with, such as "The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra," "'Promenade' from Pictures at an Exhibition." The compilers did an interesting double take by including both Verdi's and Mozart's "Dies Ire." I'm not sure which is better.

This music is good for the brain and good for the soul. There is a power and passion that the blaring and glaring music that makes up most of the FM band. I'm reminded of the religious man who said that there is no music in hell. Probably because they wouldn't appreciate it there.

These CDs has a good transfer from the analogue tapes; there is no hiss or fuzziness. The packaging hearkens back to 2001: A Space Odyssey, with the black monolith. And appropriately, "Also Sprach Zarathustra" is the opening track on Disk 2.

Portraits Of Freedom: Music of Aaron Copland and Roy Harris
Average customer rating:

The True Spirit Of America

Great Lesser-known Masterpieces

James Earl Jones Is SUPURB

Great Fourth of July album

Perfect collection of patriotic fare.

Portraits Of Freedom: Music of Aaron Copland and Roy Harris
Aaron Copland , Roy Harris , Gerard Schwarz , Seattle Symphony Orchestra , James Earl Jones , and Seattle Chorale
Manufacturer: Delos Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

All Works by Copland | Copland, Aaron | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by Harris | Harris, Roy | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
Marches | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Copland conducts Copland

Copland: Old American Songs/Canticle Of Freedom/Four Motets

Copland: Music for Films

Aaron Copland: Lincoln Portrait; Old American Songs

Copland: The Music of America

ASIN: B0000006YT
Release Date: 1994-05-03

Tracks:

Fanfare For The Common Man
Lincoln Portrait
Canticle Of Freedom
An Outdoor Overture
American Creed: Free To Dream
American Creed: Free To Build
When Johnny Comes Marching Home

Amazon.com

This is a mixture of choral and orchestral music by two great American composers, music that can only be described as patriotic. But don't let that keep you away from Copland's heartbreaking Lincoln Portrait or Roy Harris's much-neglected American Creed. James Earl Jones supplies the narration in Lincoln Portrait. American Creed is filled with Harris's usual open harmonies and melodic expansiveness and is actually a very complex triple fugue. The miking for this entire recording isn't as close to the orchestra or clear as it could be, but this is a great collection nonetheless. --Paul Cook

Customer Reviews:

The True Spirit Of America.......2006-05-18

It is often the case that the true spirit of America can be found in the artists it has given the world throughout history. And no composer embodies our nation's spirit much better than Aaron Copland, as can be gauged on this Delos recording of works by him and fellow American composer Roy Harris, as performed by the Seattle Symphony Orchestra under music director Gerard Schwarz.

The true essence of patriotism, a term too often used for less-than-honorable ends by certain political operatives throughout history, is very evident in both Copland's and Harris' works. Harris is represented by the intensely proud two-part work "American Creed", and his 1935 overture "When Johnny Comes Marching Home", based on the famous World War I song. It is also evident in Copland's rarely heard "Canticle Of Freedom", which here is sung by the Seattle Symphony Chorale.

It is in the three popular Copland pieces--"Fanfare For The Common Man"; "Lincoln Portrait"; and "An Outdoor Overture"--that the best of America lies. The towering brass chorale of "Fanfare" symbolizes, as its title surely indicates, the ability of the common man to achieve the uncommon; while "An Outdoor Overture", written in the 1930s for the Manhattan High School of Music & Art, celebrates American youth. And then there's "Lincoln Portrait", with the words of our 16th president spoken by James Earl Jones, one of our country's greatest actors and voices, with great strength and authority, allowing us to know that while we may be the greatest nation on Earth, we can ALWAYS be better. Schwarz and the Seattle Symphony provide masterful performances throughout this stunning 1992 recording. This is highly recommended for anyone wanting to know the true spirit of our nation beyond the constant and often wreckless political rhetoric that so often abounds here.

Great Lesser-known Masterpieces.......2005-11-03

Portraits of Freedom is a CD featuring works by Aaron Copland and Roy Harris which have a special emphasis on democracy. Not just a "hack" American music CD, features include the very well known to some virtually unknown compositions making this a welcome addition to the Copland/Harris recorded music oeuvre.

Fanfare for the Common Man brings nothing new, but it is such a great miniature. Less recorded is the Lincoln Portrait. Copland opens with a slow triumphant fanfare melody which gives way to a faster "Camptown Races" melody and brilliantly weaves the two together. The piece ends with a dramatic reading by James Earl Jones.

Canticle of Freedom, rarely heard, features chorus. The music and text are interesting enough to wonder why it has been neglected. Along with the Outdoor Overture, Copland uses not only uses his trademark rhythms and harmonies, but dissonance is judiciously placed to give his music an American experience.

Roy Harris' American Creed and When Johnny Comes Marching Home are also rarely heard, nonetheless recorded. Harris' music is a bit more ponderous than that of Copland, and while Harris sticks with more classical formal designs, it is interesting to note the many harmonic and orchestration similarities which exist between the two composers. Harris' energetic "When Johnny..." is also very interesting, especially when compared to the more famous American Salute by Morton Gould.

The liner notes are voluminous accounts into the background of Copland. You really get the gist of how close he was to music and patriotism and how that evolved throughout the 20th Century. The Seattle Symphony plays well on this disk; you can tell they have a real feel of the music. While you can find better recordings of Fanfare and the Outdoor Overture, you can't beat this Lincoln Portrait, and you probably won't find the other works anywhere else, especially so well performed. Copland was serious about music and democracy and it shows in these works; the lesser known ones are greatly eclipsed by his more famous works, and so you probably have to be a Copland junkie to buy this CD. In that case, this will be an easy buy for you!

James Earl Jones Is SUPURB.......2004-10-02

I have listened to several recordings of the Lincoln Portait narrated by Henry Fonda, Carl Sandberg and Katherine Hepburn. James Earl Jones surpases all of them by a wide margin. Every word James speaks comes from his heart and it is a moving experience.

An interesting note: Every speaker since James reads the following line, "government of the people, by the people, and for the people." with the emphasis on the words "of", "by" and "for". When James reads it he shift the emphasis to the word "people" each time and it makes an impressive difference. He is masterful. I've must have played this piece at least 10 times since I received it a week ago.

Buy it!

Jeff

Great Fourth of July album.......2003-01-11

If you buy this CD, you'll probably do so for Aaron Copland's "Lincoln Portrait." You won't be disappointed, either, for this is one of the best renditions of that particular symphonic war-horse in print. It's well performed, and James Earl Jones's majestic voice transcends the kitschier aspects of Copland's narration.

"Fanfare for the Common Man" is also here in all its brassy glory, although if you're like me you've heard it so often it gives you a headache. But in all likelihood you haven't heard the other Copland works on this CD: "Canticle of Freedom" and the seldom-performed "An Outdoor Overture." "An Outdoor Overture" is second-tier Copland -- a pleasant symphonic poem, nothing too remarkable. "Canticle of Freedom," on the other hand, exemplifies Copland's worst tendencies as a composer; most of it is just noisy and not musically interesting.

The real surprise here is Roy Harris's three-movement "American Creed," which is both inspiring and musically sound. It is a patriotic symphony that mostly avoids bombast, and it ought to be performed far more often. Harris is a much underrated composer, and this is one of his best works.

On the whole, this CD is a smashing good classical music collection for a Flag Day or Fourth of July holiday -- or for any time you just want to celebrate being an American.

Perfect collection of patriotic fare........1999-10-14

The inclusion of Copland's "Fanfare" and "A Lincoln Portrait" into a CD such as this is a no-brainer, but these recordings are the best of their kind--tremendous sound, and the quintessential narrator in Jones to complete it. Schwarz also blesses us with one of Copland's little-known choral works that sends a powerful patriotic message, and the "Outdoor Overture" is simply Copland at his jovial best at the prime of his composing career. The selected Harris works add further impact to the disc: the only recording available of "American Creed," along with Harris' unforgettable interpretation of "When Johnny Comes Marching Home," round it out wonderfully. The Roy Harris works may be the true highlight of the disc--if that's possible. Another splendid job by Schwarz and the Seattle Symphony.

Average customer rating:

The funniest Schickele piece ever!
P D Q on form again
beware of the organ cadenza!
Another assault to your funny bone!
PDQ Bach at his best (worst)

1712 Overture & Other Musical Assaults

Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General | Comedy | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

The Wurst of P.D.Q. Bach
Oedipus Tex & Other Choral Calamities
P.D.Q. Bach: The Short-Tempered Clavier
Music for an Awful Lot of Winds and Percussion
P.D.Q. Bach in Houston - We Have a Problem!

ASIN: B000003CVW
Release Date: 1989-06-13

Tracks:

Introduction
1712 Overature
Introduction
Bach Portrait
Introduction
Capriccio La Pucelle De New Orleans (The Maid Of New Orleans)
Introduction
Minuet Militaire
Introduction
Prelude To Einstein On The Fritz
Introduction
I. Prologue (Bottomless Sorrow; Topless Gaiety)
II. The Lamentations Of Jerry Maja
III. Finale: Special Deliverance

Customer Reviews:

The funniest Schickele piece ever!.......2006-05-23

My experience with the 1712 Overture is similar to Victoria's (in another review). I was listening to the car radio when I heard the dissonant pile-up halfway through, and almost drove off the Interstate.

It should be noted that the Amazon listing is incorrect. The 1712 Overture is in reality conducted by "Walter Bruno" who is actually David Zinman. It is most assuredly not conducted by Bruno Walter (can you imagine that?), who died in 1962.

Highly recommended.

P D Q on form again.......2005-07-20

P D Q has quite a cult following among the 'cognoscenti', and others may know some of his works without being aware of it or why. Much of this is fun listening if you have that kind of mind &/or background, and has the virtual ring of period authenticity.
Classical music, like any living corpus of cultural tradition (eg religion, sport & politics) should be well capable of laughing at itself. Others have done so successfully (Hoffnung, Spike Jones, the Comedy Harmonists et al.) and PDQ follows in a worthy & rollicking tradition!

beware of the organ cadenza!.......2005-05-18

This is my favourite PDQ Bach collection. The 1712 Overture alone is worth the price of admission. The use of the motif from 'I Ain't Got No Home' is inspired and the skewering of 'Day Tripper' reduces me to helpless giggles every time.

Einstein on the Fritz is a tonic to anyone sick of the pretentious meanderings of Philip Glass, Taverner et al. And Cappricio La Poucelle de New Orleans (engineered by Burt Bach, a living direct decendant of JS Bach) is frighteningly intense, as well as hysterical. These musicians are also terrific - the pieces wouldn't work at all otherwise. And who couldn't love the rapturous intro to The Preachers of Crimetheous - featuring the most incredible percussion playing since Ginger Baker's 'Toad'.

All in all, this is a completely ridiculous delight!

Another assault to your funny bone!.......2004-04-12

P Schickele does it yet again! He successfullly skewers the classics again. My personal fave is Einstein On The Fritz, where he does a wonderful job of spoofing Philip Glass.....Only the Prof. is so twisted as to be able to sneak in 'Three Blind Mice" in the middle of a Glassian composition!

PDQ Bach at his best (worst).......2001-11-13

Mr. Schickele is a genius, he's taken music history and disgraced it, apocryphally!
the 1712 overture pokes fun at just about every type of music out there, and what the 1712 doesn't defile, the rest of the tracks on this CD pick up the slack.

This incredibly irreverent album is a must for music lovers everywhere!

Tracks:

The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra, Op.34
Simple Symphony, Op.4: I. Boisterous Bourree - Allegro ritmico
Simple Symphony, Op.4: II. Playful Pizzicato - Presto Possibile pozzicato sempre
Simple Symphony, Op.4: III. Sentimental Saraband - Poco lento e pesante
Simple Symphony, Op.4: IV. Frolicsome Finale - Prestissimo con fuoco
Variations On A Theme Of Frank Bridge, Op.10: Introduction And Theme
Variations On A Theme Of Frank Bridge, Op.10: Adagio
Variations On A Theme Of Frank Bridge, Op.10: March
Variations On A Theme Of Frank Bridge, Op.10: Romance
Variations On A Theme Of Frank Bridge, Op.10: Aria Italiana
Variations On A Theme Of Frank Bridge, Op.10: Bourree Classique
Variations On A Theme Of Frank Bridge, Op.10: Wiener Walzer
Variations On A Theme Of Frank Bridge, Op.10: Moto Perpetuo
Variations On A Theme Of Frank Bridge, Op.10: Funeral March
Variations On A Theme Of Frank Bridge, Op.10: Chant
Variations On A Theme Of Frank Bridge, Op.10: Fugue And Finale

Amazon.com essential recording

In this century, few composers have been as well-equipped to perform their own works as Benjamin Britten. An accomplished pianist and conductor, he was used to working in front of the microphone and was able to record most of his own works, some more than once. Despite the continuing popularity of these scores with other conductors, the composer's own versions have held up very well. Britten's account of the Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra, recorded in 1963 with the London Symphony, shows a masterly touch. Many of the subtler details of the writing emerge in this performance, which, for all the felicities of expression and nuance it achieves, moves along rather smartly. It's a spirited treatment, quite modern-sounding in places, with the LSO clearly having great fun. The recording, made in Kingsway Hall, is very bright and exhibits a touch of brittleness at the high end. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

Great for kids.......2007-05-13

I love this symphony. Our 3-year-old daughter also loves the "Carnegie Hall Listening Adventures" game based on this, at [...]
We do "local game" and "practice round," which gets you right into the game. They've done a fantastic job with it--kids from three (with a lot of help) to probably much older can enjoy learning more about the different instruments in a fun way. Some of the games are like simple video games, but a lot of them teach about tone, how the instruments work, and what they sound like. Thanks so much to them for putting such a great resource on the web!

Young Person's Guide without the talk.......2007-03-22

Britten's Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra can be performed with or without narration. I prefer without since the music speaks for itself so eloquently. The theme is by Henry Purcell and it is gorgeous. After each section plays the theme for a few seconds, variations begin with the woodwinds, strings, brass and finally percussion. The work ends with a fugue and final proclamation of the glorius theme. It is a thrilling work that all ages can enjoy. The rest of the music is also wonderful and the composer directed performances are superior in every way. Although the sound is from the analog era, it is just perfect. Amazon says the CD is essential. I totally agree.

Britten conducts Britten.......2006-05-19

British composer Benjamin Britten (1913-1976) was a master composer AND a master conductor. Not only did he make numerous recordings conducting his own compositions, he also conducted very competent performances of other composers, including J.S. Bach and Robert Schumann. He was an exclusive London/Decca artist throughout his life and the recordings in this compilation were originally released on LPs on that label. They have now been superbly remastered for really high fidelity sound on compact disc.

The CD features a wonderful color photograph of Britten on the cover. He was a musician's musician, who challenged both singers and instrumentalists to strive harder. In an interview, Britten admitted that his music was often difficult to perform correctly. That became apparent when this writer had the opportunity to sing some of Britten's choral music, including "Ceremony of Carols," "Rejoice in the Lamb," and "War Requiem." His choral music IS singable, despite the great challenges, and not as "impossible" to sing as portions of Beethoven's "Missa Solemnis," which I have also sung.

The 1963 recording of "A Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra" is a benchmark performance by the fabulous London Symphony Orchestra, truly one of the greatest of all orchestras. The individual performers, as well as the sections, all get a chance to "shine" as Britten uses a theme by Henry Purcell (1659-1695) to present a series of variations highlighting all of the sections and some of the individual instruments in the orchestra. Some recordings included narration; this performance simply presents the music in topnotch performances with great virtuosity throughout. The sound is exceptionally clear, too, making it possible to thoroughly enjoy this inspiring performance.

The compilation also includes Britten's delightful "Simple Symphony," one of his earliest and most popular works. Using the excellent string section of the English Chamber Orchestra, Britten was able to give a performance that again can set the standards for all future performances of this charming, sometimes very moving, music. The second movement is noted for its pizzicato playing; this extremely delicate and intricate music is performed with great precision by the British musicians. The third movement is, by far, the longest and most intense part of the symphony; Britten took a rather simple but profound melody and built upon it, until it reached an almost agonizing intensity.

There are also outstanding moments throughout Britten's "Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge." Again using a theme and variations approach, Britten's recording with the English Chamber Orchestra not only showcases the outstanding performers but shows his incredible variety as he utilized numerous musical forms. Some of this music is enchanting and delightful. There are also sections which are very dramatic and even agonizing in their intensity. Frank Bridge, who died in 1941, was Britten's teacher and mentor; remarkably, the student has eclipsed the teacher in fame and popularity, but there's no question the student remained deeply devoted to his teacher, even after Bridge was no longer living.

For those unfamiliar with Britten's music, this compilation is a very good introduction to the wonderfully tonal but imagination music he produced during his all-too-short life. One should also listen to a recording of the four orchestral interludes from the opera "Peter Grimes," and then go on to listening to the complete opera (perhaps the greatest opera every written in English), followed by "War Requiem" and some of the other choral music he composed.

By definition...definitive.......2003-12-07

Unlike most listeners, I bought this for the 'Frank Bridge' work; I originally had it on LP, from over 20 years ago. The variations are, I think, one of the masterpieces of 20th century music. It was his first commission to receive widesprad attention and for good reason: his mastery of string instrumentation and sonics is truly astonishing. It is a piece I constantly return to.

The 'Young Person's Guide' is totally satisfying as well. Britten's interpretation is much more 'baroque' than the full orchestral sound we are used to; but it is much more convincing, particarly as the theme is by Purcell. And the 'Simple Symphony' is as charming as others have noted. All are recorded with excellent sound.

Britten as interpreted by Britten has to be considered definitive!

Wonderful recording.......2001-06-10

This is the absolute best recording of Simple Symphony I can find. Var. on Frank Bridge is nice and Young Person's Guide is also excellent.

Prokofiev: Peter and the Wolf; Lieutenant Kijé Suite; Britten: Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra

Average customer rating:

Good Recording
Found at last.
Through the eyes of a child-
Now available on CD!!!!

Prokofiev: Peter and the Wolf; Lieutenant Kijé Suite; Britten: Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Britten: Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra Op34; Simple Symphony Op4
Peter And The Wolf
Prokofiev - Peter and the Wolf / Narrated by Patrick Stewart · Opera de Lyon · Nagano
Mendelssohn: 5 Symphonies; 7 Overtures
Beethoven's Wig: Sing Along Symphonies

ASIN: B00000426C
Release Date: 1996-05-14

Tracks:

Peter And The Wolf, Op. 67: This Is The Story Of Peter And The Wolf
Peter And The Wolf, Op. 67: It Was Early Morning
Peter And The Wolf, Op. 67: Grandfather Led Him Back To The House
Peter And The Wolf, Op. 67: Now This Is How Things Stood
Peter And The Wolf, Op. 67: And Now, The Victory Parade
Lieutenant Kije - Suite: The Birth Of Kije
Lieutenant Kije - Suite: Romance
Lieutenant Kije - Suite: Kije's Wedding
Lieutenant Kije - Suite: Troika
Lieutenant Kije - Suite: The Funeral Of Kije
The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra: Introduction
The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra: Let Us Hear Each Instrument Play A Variation
The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra: The Highest Instruments In The String Family
The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra: We Now Come To The Brass Family
The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra: The Percussion Family
The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra: You Have Heard The Whole Orchestra In Sections

Customer Reviews:

Good Recording.......2006-02-25

My daughter and I love the Hermione Gingold narration of Peter and the Wolf, but as we could not seem to find a CD of that one, we opted for Sean Connery's dulcet tones instead. His narration is good, although sometimes a bit quiet. The music is wonderful. We are very satisfied with this recording.

Found at last........2002-12-03

As a kindergarten teacher we enjoyed the music, but Connery's telling of Peter and the Wolf is absolutely the icing on the cake, he is able to create such suspense! I first started using this version when it was intially released as a record, perhaps thirty years ago, and other than a live performances no other telling has been able to keep the children enthralled like this one.

Through the eyes of a child-.......2002-10-30

Everything seems so much more impressive, colorful, and intricate when one is young. The two pieces here geared towards children (the Britten and Prokofiev) are pieces that simultaneously provide children a wonderful inroduction to classical music, while recreating some of that imaginative childhood experience for adults as well.

Why should you buy this recording as opposed to the others on the market though? Well, First there is Dorati- who puts all the dance, gaitey and life into these pieces that are necessary. They sing, they dance, all because of Dorati's expertise with ballet-music. He also gets top-notch playing for the Lt. Kije Suite as well. Secondly, SEAN CONNERY- I laughed out loud when I first realized this icon of dialect was coupled with my favorite conductor on this CD, and later I was even more pleased at how well it worked.

You will surely enjoy both the expert playing, and the narrating of all of these purely fun, purely child-like pieces.

Now available on CD!!!!.......2002-04-02

I grew up on the LP of this, which didn't include Lt. Kije, and I was psyched when this CD came out. A previous Peter/Young Peoples CD release has Sean Connery listed, but he only narrates the Britten, and Dorati does the Prokofiev, which was a major disappointment.

As for sound quality, don't expect too much. It's an old recording. But can anything match the joy of hearing Sean utter, "Birdie and I have caught the wolf"?

I think not. Buy now.

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