And stories with music!
But will parents enjoy the stories being told by Dame Edna Everage, a cross-dressing bon vivant? In the 90s, sure, but in today's world I am not so sure.
Dame Edna is portrayed by Barry Humphries as an over-the-top female character. Here she narrates Peter and the Wolf and Britten's Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra, while Humphries himself tells the tale of Babar the Elephant.
Personally, my mind is on the music, which receives a glorious performance from the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Of course, if you can't get beyond Dame Edna, who adds her own characteristic touches, there are plenty of other recordings out there. For me, however, this is great!
A review from 2000
This CD will be a good buy whether you are buying it for the music or for entertaining your children. Dame Edna is very amusing (in her own right) and is probably the best narrator of any recording on Young Person's Guide, and again, very amusing on Peter and the Wolf.
The orchestra on this recording (Melbourne Symphony Orchestra) is amazingly wonderful. They play as full, brilliant, and tightly as any well known symphony orchestra. The brass section is marvelous, the strings are lush, and the woodwinds play sprightly. This recording is a musically superior recording. An added plus is the Poulenc Babar (very rare recording) with unusual Poulenc harmonies.
This CD is wonderful for all ages.
Works
Peter and the Wolf, op. 67 (27.07)
Babar the Elephant (27.16)
Young Persons Guide to the Orchestra, op. 34 (18.55)
Soloists
Dame Edna Everage, narrator
Barry Humphries, narrator
Performers
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
John Lanchbery, conductor
Label: Naxos
Year: 1997
Total Timing: 73.27
These Classical-Music chestnuts are played stupendously.
Some might not care for narration, nonetheless from Dame Edna, but there are other recordings with different narrators or completely without.
For me, and my kids, this recording has enjoyed a lot of playtime over the years.
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