Serge Prokofiev: Peter and the Wolf; Jean-Pascal Beintus: Wolf Tracks

by Sophia Loren, Bill Clinton, Mikhail Gorbachev, Kent Nagano, Russian National Orchestra

Overview

This is just goofy enough to be a lot of fun. The project originated with the Russian National Orchestra and its conductor, Kent Nagano, who spent time in California and there developed a reputation for innovative programming. Here, Prokofiev's classic tale of Peter and the Wolf is paired with a modern take on the story, with new music by the French composer Jean-Pascal Beintus and narration by none other than Bill Clinton. Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, a patron of the orchestra since the days of its founding as Russia's first modern symphonic ensemble free from government control, introduces the project on the disc and reads (in Russian, followed by English translations) a short intermezzo and conclusion emphasizing the need to conserve wildlife habitat. Several things need to be said here, one of which is that if you're looking for a good recording of Peter and the Wolf, you might do well to consider this one even amid all the competition out there -- Sophia Loren is an absolutely delightful narrator. It's easy to imagine her performance becoming a treasured keepsake of a child's. Clinton is no Sophia Loren, and apparently if you're the former President of the United States no one tells you when you mispronounce "bravado." But he's always good for a smile. And finally, the modernized Wolf Tracks, which features the grandson of the original Peter setting off to track the wolf but becoming convinced of the error of his ways, would be less likely to make someone into an environmentalist than would Prokofiev's original work, with its marvelously evocative natural scenes. Proceeds from the disc are being donated to charities selected by the narrators and to the Wolf Conservation Center. ~ James Manheim

Product Details

Release Date:	09/23/2003
Label:	PENTATONE
UPC:	0827949001161

Tracks

1. Peter and the Wolf, Op. 67
2. Wolf Tracks

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Bill Clinton   Primary Artist,Spoken Word
Mikhail Gorbachev   Primary Artist,Spoken Word
Sophia Loren   Primary Artist,Spoken Word
Kent Nagano   Primary Artist,Conductor
Russian National Orchestra   Primary Artist,Ensemble,Orchestra

Technical Credits

Nadya Kozakova   Paintings,Watercolor Artwork,Artwork
Linda Whitaker   Story
Maria Orekhova   Artwork,Paintings,Watercolor Artwork
Pavel Trytnev   Artwork,Paintings,Watercolor Artwork
Walt Kraemer   Text
Katya Matveeva   Artwork,Paintings,Watercolor Artwork
Russian National Orchestra   Performer
Sergey Prokofiev   Composer
Gulya Tazidinova   Back Cover,Illustrations,Cover Art
Mikhail Gorbachev   Narrator,Commentary,Introduction
Bill Clinton   Narrator
Kent Nagano   Artistic Director
Sophia Loren   Narrator
Robert Randles   Composer,Narrator,Sound Design
Richard Walker   Executive Producer
Sebastian Shick   Editing
Sergey Abdryakhimov   Artwork,Paintings,Watercolor Artwork
Konstantin Belyakov   Paintings,Watercolor Artwork
Igor Polyakov   Cover Art,Paintings,Cover Illustration
Natasha Reshetova   Artwork,Paintings,Watercolor Artwork
Elena Pokhodova   Artwork,Paintings,Watercolor Artwork
Marina Kirillova   Artwork,Paintings,Watercolor Artwork
Wilhelm Hellweg   Producer
Sebastian Stein   Editing
Vladimir Plotnikov   Artwork,Paintings,Watercolor Artwork
Sergei Markov   Narrator,Executive Producer
Martha Bredon   Editing,Text Editor
Sergey Mironov   Artwork,Paintings,Watercolor Artwork
Katya Kurnasenkova   Artwork,Paintings,Watercolor Artwork
Jean-Marie Geijsen   Engineer
Jean-Pascal Beintus   Composer
Bastian Schick   Editing
Dmitry Nekludov   Artwork,Paintings,Watercolor Artwork
Everett Porter   Editing,Balance Engineer
Dmitriy Koliskin   Artwork,Paintings,Watercolor Artwork
Natasha Kokareva   Artwork,Paintings,Watercolor Artwork
Andrey Kozyrev   Artwork,Paintings,Watercolor Artwork
Job Maarse   Executive Producer