Maesto Classics "Carnival of the Animals" CD

Disclaimer: I received this product for review. All opinions are my own.

The product: Over 50 National Awards ...

CARNIVAL OF THE ANIMALS
from
MAESTRO CLASSICS™
 

A Stories in Music™ CD for Narrator, Soloists, and Orchestra
Featuring the London Philharmonic Orchestra
Stephen Simon, Conductor
 

"If your little ones are past the age of getting their classical music from Baby Einstein, here is the perfect next step." -- Entertainment Weekly

"You don't have to love classical music to fall under theenchanting spell of Stephen Simon's magical production." --Parents' Choice Awards
 

NEW YORK --  Maestro Classics™, winner of over 50 prestigious awards for its Stories In Music™ CD series, proudly announces therelease of the company's tenth CD for family listening, a sparkling, child-friendly rendition of Camille Saint-Saëns' famous,whimsical masterpiece for narrator, soloists, and orchestra, Carnival of theAnimals. (Maestro Classics, $16.98, for ages 3+ and families, run time 70 minutes).
 
Lions roar, elephants dance, roosters crow at clucking hens, kangaroos leap, fish swim, wild donkeys race, xylophones clatter like fossils, clarinets cuckoo, virtuosic flutes imitate sounds of the aviary, the cello plays its famous swan song, and the tortoise does the world's slowest can-can in Saint-Saëns' musical picture gallery of the animal kingdom that also includes pianists practicing scales and some animals with long ears who are rumored to be music critics.

The Maestro Classics recording of Carnival of the Animals features thedroll verse that Ogden Nash wrote for each of the work's fourteen movements, recited here by Maestro Classics' beloved narrator, Yadu(a.k.a. Dr. Konrad Czynski).
 
With eminent conductor Stephen Simon directing the London Philharmonic Orchestra, stellar contributions by pianists Wendy Chen and Donna Kwong, a lovely interpretation of the French folk song "Au Clair de la Lune" by soprano Rachel Barham, and intriguing observations by Stephen Simon and "elucidator" Bonnie Ward Simon, in addition to a French/English interactive singing project and activities offered in a beautifully illustrated, 24-page program booklet, this recording of Carnival of the Animals will be treasured forever by children and adults alike.

Notes Bonnie Ward Simon, "The story goes that in 1950, America's pioneer pops conductor, André Kostelanetz, noticed that no one in the audience was smiling when he performed Carnival of the Animals.  They thought that all classical music should be serious!  He was so taken aback that he personally commissioned Ogden Nash to write verses to go with the music so that audiences would understand that Saint-Saëns intended the music to be funny.  Generations of children now remember the pianos roaring like lions and couplets like 'Elephants are useful friends, Equipped with handles at both ends,' as part of a wonderful childhood experience with music."

What we thought: Here is another great children's CD from Maestro Classics. My son really enjoys the classical music with their CDs. And it is so neat for them to make fun lyrics and music that children love. My son enjoyed this one, and I think it's perfect for children of all ages.

Where to buy: You can purchase the Carnival of Animals CD on their website or Amazon.

How to connect: Learn more about Maestro Classics at http://maestroclassics.com. You can also find them on Facebook and Twitter.