Peter and the Wolf

Book Description

Since its premiere in 1936, Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf has become a classic beloved by generations of children and adults. For this enchanting new version of the story, Bono and his childhood friend Gavin Friday have collaborated on a stunning boxed set that includes a clothbound book and enhanced CD. The beautifully produced hardback book contains 64 pages of Bono's original paintings-with help from his daughters Jordan and Eve-to illustrate the story. And the enhanced CD features a fresh and funny rendition of the musical score, narrated in a sly and hilarious reading by Gavin Friday and performed by the Seezer Ensemble. Royalties from the project will benefit the Irish Hospice Foundation.

Customer Reviews:

For Adult Bono Fans or can be adapted for children..........2006-10-31

"Beware... for wolves come in many disquises."

Peter lives with his grandfather in a cottage surrounded by a high stone wall near a deep, dark forest. In the story we meet a number of animals. The story is read by Irish musician, Gavin Friday, who has a very enjoyable sensuous voice.

To make this book kid friendly (from my teacherish perspective), I'd recommend glueing the first cat picture page shut. You could buy one for the kids and one as a collector item - so if you object, the problem can be easily remedied. I just think it is a little too suggestive for younger children (unless they are used to art museums, then they won't blink an eye), although adults will easily see the double meaning of the book's contents that seems to deal with temptation and being swallowed up by darkness. The other pictures seem fine.

The duck with the bill that extends out like a cross seems to be in contrast with the first bird that looks more like a dove. I took it to mean you should live your beliefs instead of just making them a show. Pretty clever to show that in an illustration so subtely. The dove and the cat also contrast sharply and the meaning is very clear.

Bono's illustrations are beautiful and he drew the pictures with the help of his children. I purchased this for a collector friend and couldn't help myself, I read it first and listened to the CD. For some reason, I thought Bono would be reading the story.

My dad heard me listening to this in the office and thought it would be fun to listen to on Halloween. There are fun elements of suspense throughout the music and now and then it gets a "little" scarry.

For adults who heard the music as children, the combination of the music and the story makes the story much more meaningful.

~The Rebecca Review

Peter and the wolf.......2005-09-20

This CD and book set is absolutely wonderful. Maurice Seezer and Gavin Friday have done a fantastic job of the musical arrangements and Gavin's voice is perfect. The illustrations by Bono and his two girls are perfect, it just shows how talented they all are. I have purchased this as a gift that my 18 month old daughter will hopefully have forever and I will make sure that I also get a copy for my soon-to-be-born son.

Highly recommended!.......2004-02-25

When I was a little girl I loved to listen to the story of Peter and the Wolf. As an adult, I have grown to love celtic music and traditional Irish instruments. So when this set came out I was eager to purchase it -- and I was thrilled with what I got.

The music is beautifully performed by the Friday-Seezer ensemble. Each instrument comes alive as the animal it is supposed to represent. While the music is definitely Prokofiev (no doubt about that) it has an Irish flavor that is just enchanting.

Although I wasn't too keen on the pictures when I viewed them on a website, I thought they worked wonderfully in this book accompanied by the music.

And last, but not least, Gavin Friday cannot get enough credit for his wonderful narration of the story.

All in all, the story is whimsical and fun, just like I remembered it to be. I agree with the other reviewer that it would be nice if the book were larger, but aside from that I have nothing but praise for this set.

Help children develop multi-focal literacy.......2004-01-10

Buy this book! As a librarian, and mother of three, I highly reccomend this book and CD for both children and adults. This initiative by the Irish Hospice Foundation joins the considerable musical talents of Gavin Friday and Maurice Seezer with spirited illustrations by Bono to create a richly rewarding sensory experience.
The narration and orchestration are novel and pure listening pleasure for children and adults. The practice of enriching text with thoughtful art and quality music has the well-documented effect of promoting literacy and improving cognitive skills in children. This project does that, and does it extremely well.
My only complaint with the book is that the size is too small to share easily with large groups of children.

Great for all ages.......2004-01-09

Being a Gavin Friday fan (so much so that we named our son Gavin) I had to get this boxed set when it came out and I was not dissapointed. The illustrations were wonderful, Gavin's reading of the story (and the music) was simply amazing.

Perhaps the more American puritanical parents will have issues with bare breasts illustrated, however most of the world would find nothing objectionable to even younger than the "recommended" age. I found it simply refreshing that illustrations in a children's geared book are not devoid of body parts which everyone has and what most (thankfully) associate with feeding children and not sex.

Customer Reviews:

Please, Sergei, not another f-sharp!.......2002-06-09

Though, in general, I could not agree more with the previous reviewer's abhorence of the note f-sharp - I for one would love to see Mr. Prokofiev further explore the use of the vastly underrated note g-flat, I could not disagree more with his enthusiasm for Mr. Prokofiev's first piece. What is here to love? What is its great attraction - its naivite, its sophoristic cleverness, its innocuous unctuousness? My only regret is that he had already published it before it was too late - certainly second thoughts that would have led to aan appropriate final resting place in the living room fireplace were to arrive not too soon after that fateful day. And as for being a babe-magnet, the chicks today are much too sophisticated. No longer are women swooning at the mere intonation of that previously-thought-to-be dangerous f-sharp. Sure, we men all regret the day when a couple of deftly composed f-sharps would throw a woman into one's arms, and have her throw caution to the wind - life was so simple then. But today's modern 21st-century woman is way beyond that. Today, no single sexy note will do. For this I recommend, Mr. P's seventh. Sure that old-fashioined f-sharp is still present, but now the chromatic approach says: "yes, or course I'm unctuous - but in a good way." And those d-flats!!! Those show the depths of one's inner nature. And finally a g-flat!!! So delicious. We can only thankful that Mr. P lived long enough to finally see the light and incorporate that most luminous of notes - the g-flat - into his compositional bag of tricks.

I bought a piano for this????!!!.......2002-03-12

First of all let me preface my review by saying that I loved the author's first work. Loved it. However, this is not the author's first work. I don't know what Sergei was smoking, or who he was smoking it with, but it fried the parts of his brain responsible for plot and character development. First of all he spends way too much time with f sharp. I mean it's constantly f this or f that and always sharp, never flat or just plain f. Too many freakin' f's. I can say one good thing about the 'Complete Piano Sonats'. It did get me away from the computer. Unfortunately it didn't create anywhere near the stir amongst the ladies that was promised in the infomercial.
In conclusion: buy this only if you enjoy playing music on the piano more than I do.

Sarcasms, Visions Fugitives and Other Short Works for Piano

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Sarcasms, Visions Fugitives and Other Short Works for Piano
Sergei Prokofiev
Manufacturer: Dover Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0486410919

Book Description

New collection displays composer's lyrical charm with 4 Etudes, Op. 2; 4 Pieces, Op. 3; 4 Pieces, Op. 4; Toccata, Op. 11; 10 Pieces, Op. 12; Sarcasms, Op. 17; Visions fugitives, Op. 22; Tales of an Old Grandmother, Op. 31; 4 pieces, Op. 32; and March and Scherzo, Op. 33 (from The Love for Three Oranges).

S. Prokofiev: Autobiography, Articles, Reminiscences

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S. Prokofiev: Autobiography, Articles, Reminiscences
Sergei Prokofiev , Rose Prokofieva , and S. Shlifstein
Manufacturer: University Press of the Pacific
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0898751497

Book Description

Sergei Prokofiev was a bold innovator who eschewed the beaten path in art all his life, often in definance of orthodox tastes. His compositions, many of which are today recognized masterpieces of musical art, usually evoked either genuine bewilderment or sharp criticism when first performed.

Prokofiev's music is performed today all over the world; his works are studied at music schools everywhere.

Book Description

After his training as a concert pianist, Prokofiev played this single-movement concerto for his final examination and received the coveted Rubinstein prize. The concerto opens with a grandiose theme that unifies the entire work. Four contrasting sections are fashioned into a three-part sonata design, climaxing in a brilliant solo cadenza.

Classical Symphony, Op. 25, in Full Score

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An important addition

Classical Symphony, Op. 25, in Full Score
Sergei Prokofiev
Manufacturer: Dover Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0486449505

Book Description

Prokofiev's first symphony, which he mischievously dubbed "Classical," is a sprightly piece based on the symphonic models of Haydn. The composer's synthesis of 20th-century harmonies and timbres with 18th-century structure and form has captivated audiences since its premiere in 1916. This is Prokofiev's most frequently performed symphonic work.

Customer Reviews:

An important addition.......2007-01-04

The "Classical Symphony" is one of the most known and most performed works of the russian master Sergei Prokofiev. The work is an important label in his production, in his life history, and in modern music. This edition is very well designed, both to study and performance. Specialy remarkable is the quality of the paper. This edition is a great addition in every personal music library for professionals and amateurs.

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Ivan the Terrible, Op. 116: Full Score

Manufacturer: Sikorski
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 3920880773

Book Description

Text in German, Russian and English.

Sergei Prokofiev: Soviet Diary 1927 and Other Writings

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Sergei Prokofiev: Soviet Diary 1927 and Other Writings
Oleg Prokofiev , and Christopher Palmer
Manufacturer: Faber and Faber Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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The Mind and Music of Prokofiev
popular biography that brings rewards
Well worth reading
A core addition to Music History supplemental reading lists
Too glib and superficial to be informative!

Sergei Prokofiev: A Biography
Harlow Robinson
Manufacturer: Northeastern University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1555535178

Book Description

A richly detailed portrait of a man whose complex character, like his music, combined the traditional and the contemporary in odd and unexpected ways.

Customer Reviews:

The Mind and Music of Prokofiev.......2007-05-02

Harlow Robinson spent years in Soviet Russia researching Prokofiev during the height of the Cold War. His research does not just include manuscripts and letters but also involves many personal conversations with those who knew Prokofiev and even with those who persecuted Prokofiev. As a result he navigates his way through Prokofiev's life with that added dimension of relating personally to those events. Robinson's writing is interesting and warm without being too academic or dry. This book seems to be intended for any real fan of Prokofiev. Lastly, this book really strives to explain some of the perplexities of Prokofiev's decisions. In particular, Robinson strives to explain why Prokofiev needed to return to Russia after his extended residence in Paris. This book is well worth the time to read.

popular biography that brings rewards.......2005-04-06

Robinson's is a useful popular biography of Prokofiev that is better researched and better written than any other English language bio of the great composer. Equal measure is given to Prokofiev's time in the West, and to his life after returning to Russia. There's much that's interesting here - a persistent exploration of Prokofiev's quixotic relationship with Diaghilev, generous delving into the composer's personal life, including especially some revealing passages on the almost uncharacteristic affection Prokofiev lavished on his children, and a resonant view of his work habits. Prokofiev's career disappointments were many, some even tragic, and the author doesnt beat around the bush, but the admirable thread of fierce devotion maintained by Prokofiev toward his own unquenchable musical purpose is thoughtfully argued by Robinson throughout the book, indeed it's one its strengths. The author even notes details of some of Prokofiev's foppish Parisian clothing that helped start him off on the wrong foot on his return to Russia. There are a number of subtle moments like that where one can discern the winning hand of a committed biographer. The importance of Prokofiev's canon of works is denied a hearing for the most part, but the book suffers little for that. The useful appendices include a chronology and a catalogue (by genre) of the composer's works, in addition to a healthy bibliography. I recommend this book for anyone just taking up the subject of Prokofiev. Listening again to the seventh Piano Sonata would perhaps serve more succinctly for the already initiated.

Well worth reading.......2002-09-23

Harlow Robinson's book is excellent; well worth reading. He strikes the right balance between the composer's personal charateristics and the body of his musical creation. The book is rich in detail, yet to-the-point; it is objective, yet reflects the complexity of this sometimes very unpleasant genius. It is perfectly comprehensible for the interested non-expert who has invested a good deal of time listening to Prokofiev's music, and seeing his movies, ballets and operas. As a Russian speaker familiar with every day speech and everyday life in the Soviet Union, I can say that Mr Robinson has a keen understanding of that culture, right down to having a very fine ear for transliterations. The composer is the Beethoven of the twentieth century: the one who has created the musical language which is so much a part of us that we take it for granted. Robinson brings us the man and the mind behind that language.

A core addition to Music History supplemental reading lists.......2002-08-09

Sergei Prokofiev: A Biography by Harlow Robinson (Professor of Modern Languages and History, Northeastern University) is an exhaustive, detailed, scholarly, and documented account of the life, times, inspiration, and personal history of acclaimed Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953). A handful of black-and-white photographs and a brand new foreword and afterword by author Harlow Robinson enhance this reprint of the most thorough Prokofiev biography to be found in the English language to date. A superbly written, insightfully informated, and ighly recommended for anyone with a keen interest in the evolution of individual musical greatness as reflected in the life and work of a seminal European composer, Sergei Prokofiev is a core addition to any Music History supplemental reading lists and academic reference collections.

Too glib and superficial to be informative!.......2002-05-14

I read this book when it first appeared some ten years ago, having read much of the other work on P. (books by Israel Nestyev, Victor Seroff, etc.). Indeed there is a lack of good literature on P. in English. Unfortunately, Robinson's book is sadly written-down and dumbed-down for a sub-TIME-Magazine reading public. It is not necessary to do so to write a good, readable, un-academic biography (compare the superb bio of poet Marina Tsvetaeva by Viktoria Schweitzer). So this book wasted a fine opportunity: its evaluations of both life and works are simplistic. Robinson claims to be "above" the ideological divisions of Cold War Prokofiev scholarship (e.g. pre-Stalinist vs. Socialist Realist Prokofiev), but he does not engage this problem at all, at least not in any thoughtful way, and blurs over it with bland cheery platitudes. Disappointing!

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Zinedom has become a full-fledged, no-borders community since its inception over 50 years ago. Existing under the radar of mainstream media, This illustrated seventh volume of the Zine Yearbook delivers the most original and passionate of the past year’s voices, showcasing underground artists, fiction writers, hip-hoppers, and radical political perspectives.

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