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A Child's Celebration of Classical Music, like its esteemed peers in the Music for Little People series, is not only of superior quality, it caters to the interest of kids without dumbing down the music. Beginning with the lively Boston Pops Orchestra rendition of "In the Hall of the Mountain King," this collection draws the listener into worlds created by orchestral majesty, powerful buildups, and exquisite narrative. Meryl Streep's buttery tones preface Ravel's magically ruminative "Sleeping Beauty" and Carol Channing is simply marvelous in her telling of the giggle-inducing yarn of "Gerald McBoing Boing," as set to strings and drums, cymbal clashes, and horn accents. David Bowie provides a distinguished narration to Prokofiev's nearly-30-minute-long "Peter and the Wolf" suite, a classic which still thrills and delights audiences half a century after the composer's death. Throughout, children will delight in distinguishing the wide array of instruments and the sounds they represent.
--Paige La Grone
Product Description
A Child's Celebration of Classical Music is an interesting mix of silly songs and storytelling sessions with classical music providing background and characterization. The best of these is David Bowie's "Peter and the Wolf" (though, at 27 minutes, some children might not keep interest); the worst is Carol Channing's unbearably perky "Gerald McBoing Boing." The Symfunny Orchestra's "Water Music," Danny Kaye's "Tubby the Tuba" and Bobby McFerrin's "Music Box" add charm to this collection, as does Meryl Streep and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra's "Sleeping Beauty." ~ Gina Boldman, All Music Guide
