Track Listing

1. Peter and the Wolf, children's tale for narrator & orchestra, Op. 67
2. Carnival of the Animals, zoological fantasy for 2 pianos & ensemble: I. Introduction et marche royale du Lion
3. Carnival of the Animals, zoological fantasy for 2 pianos & ensemble: II. Poules et Coqs
4. Carnival of the Animals, zoological fantasy for 2 pianos & ensemble: III. Hémiones
5. Carnival of the Animals, zoological fantasy for 2 pianos & ensemble: IV. Tortues
6. Carnival of the Animals, zoological fantasy for 2 pianos & ensemble: V. L'Élephant
7. Carnival of the Animals, zoological fantasy for 2 pianos & ensemble: VI. Kangourous
8. Carnival of the Animals, zoological fantasy for 2 pianos & ensemble: VII. Aquarium
9. Carnival of the Animals, zoological fantasy for 2 pianos & ensemble: VIII. Personnages à longues oreilles
10. Carnival of the Animals, zoological fantasy for 2 pianos & ensemble: IX. Le Coucou au fond des bois
11. Carnival of the Animals, zoological fantasy for 2 pianos & ensemble: X. Volière
12. Carnival of the Animals, zoological fantasy for 2 pianos & ensemble: XI. Pianistes
13. Carnival of the Animals, zoological fantasy for 2 pianos & ensemble: XII. Fossiles
14. Carnival of the Animals, zoological fantasy for 2 pianos & ensemble: XIII. Le Cygne
15. Carnival of the Animals, zoological fantasy for 2 pianos & ensemble: XIV. Final
16. Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra (Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell), for speaker ad lib & orchestra, Op. 34: Theme A.
17. Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra (Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell), for speaker ad lib & orchestra, Op. 34: Theme B.
18. Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra (Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell), for speaker ad lib & orchestra, Op. 34: Theme C.
19. Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra (Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell), for speaker ad lib & orchestra, Op. 34: Theme D.
20. Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra (Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell), for speaker ad lib & orchestra, Op. 34: Theme E.
21. Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra (Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell), for speaker ad lib & orchestra, Op. 34: Theme F.
22. Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra (Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell), for speaker ad lib & orchestra, Op. 34: Variation
23. Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra (Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell), for speaker ad lib & orchestra, Op. 34: Variation
24. Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra (Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell), for speaker ad lib & orchestra, Op. 34: Variation
25. Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra (Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell), for speaker ad lib & orchestra, Op. 34: Variation
26. Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra (Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell), for speaker ad lib & orchestra, Op. 34: Variation
27. Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra (Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell), for speaker ad lib & orchestra, Op. 34: Variation
28. Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra (Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell), for speaker ad lib & orchestra, Op. 34: Variation
29. Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra (Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell), for speaker ad lib & orchestra, Op. 34: Variation
30. Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra (Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell), for speaker ad lib & orchestra, Op. 34: Variation
31. Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra (Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell), for speaker ad lib & orchestra, Op. 34: Variation
32. Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra (Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell), for speaker ad lib & orchestra, Op. 34: Variation
33. Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra (Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell), for speaker ad lib & orchestra, Op. 34: Variation
34. Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra (Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell), for speaker ad lib & orchestra, Op. 34: Variation
35. Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra (Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell), for speaker ad lib & orchestra, Op. 34: Fugue. Al

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #42155 in Music
• Brand: Sony
• Released on: 1998-03-31
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .23 pounds

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

My favorite "Young Person's Guide"
While it's true that Bernstein's narration is sometimes awkward, I find even the awkwardness appealing - it's like listening to your childless uncle who doesn't know how to talk to kids. "Peter and the Wolf" brings back childhood memories of acting out the piece with my cousins; the wolf's theme still sounds pleasantly scarey to me. But over the years my favorite piece on this album has become "A Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra," which is narrated not by Bernstein but by a young boy. His clear, simple speaking style is perfect, and nicely paced. By the way, this CD is essentially the same as "Bernstein's Favorites - Children's Classics." The cover art is less cutesy, and the music has been digitally remastered - but on my modest CD player the difference isn't noticeable.

Great CD -- Take if from a music teacher!
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.

I have loved this work since I was a child. It is unique.

Though I have not listened to this recording in 30 years, I can still hear the voice of Mr. Bernstein in my mind (he always sounded like he had allergies). His independent treatment of each of the voices in each segment, is a powerful way to teach a child to hear distinct sub-parts in any classical piece. It is, in my judgement, the finest work of its kind to this day; but that is not its only appeal.

Mr. Bernstein's inspired interpretation of the piece survives as a unique achievement. His use of the double base in the Swan, played by Gary Carr, is like no other, as is their ponderous voice in his visit with the elephants. His construction of the dinosaur bones has a clarity and energy, unlikely to be replicated out of the blase Philharmonic of the latter day.

I anticipate hearing this piece, accompanied by the wonderment on the faces of my children, hearing it for the first time, with tears.