The Teddy Bears Picnic

ROVEN The Runaway Bunny. 1,3 CHAPPELL Paddington Bear’s First Concert. 2 KLEINSINGER Tubby the Tuba 2 • Barry Wordsworth, cond; Brooke Shields (nar); 1 Stephen Fry (nar); 2 Ittai Shapira (vn); 3 Royal PO • SONY 22855 (66:42)


What follows may disqualify me as a reviewer of the above. First, I never grew up, and at age 62, I have no intention of doing so. Second, I still occasionally watch an episode Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood solely on the grounds that he likes me just the way I am—one of the most empowering benedictions ever bestowed upon a child of any age. As the father of two grown and quite accomplished daughters who were daily regaled during their formative years by the choicest examples of children’s lit that my late wife, a children’s librarian, could obtain, I am well acquainted with the texts that so eloquently inform this release. The Runaway Bunny is from Margaret Brown’s classic 1942 children’s book of the same title; Paddington Bear’s First Concert is based on Michael Bond’s series of children’s books about a marmalade eating bear “from Darkest Peru”; and Tubby the Tuba is the word-half of the 1941–1945 collaboration between author/actor Michael Tripp and composer George Kleinsinger, which over the years has been successfully disseminated via multiple recordings and film animations, and which has been cited by the Library of Congress in 2006 as a landmark in audio history.


The Runaway Bunny was originally conceived by composer Glen Roven as a piece for solo violin, singer, and orchestra—designed as a vehicle for Israeli violinist Ittai Shapira. In the course of the project’s development, Shapira suggested substituting a narrator for the singer. Given the results, it was an excellent choice that spotlights the powerful eloquence of the seemingly modestly unpoetic words. I found the music coupled with Brooke Shields’s narration deeply moving.


Most of the “audio product” aimed at children which has come across my desk over the years has been plagued by mawkishness, condescension, terminal cuteness—afflictions that most children I know find inherently repulsive. On that topic I recently had a conversation with my eldest daughter, who is currently continuing her anthropological studies of Central Asia on a Fulbright grant in Helsinki. I asked her if she, like me, ever felt embarrassed when adults spoke to us, when we were children, in baby talk. Her answer, “I felt more sorry and embarrassed for the adults than for myself.”


The texts on this release are self-recommending and are delivered by Brooke Shields and Stephen Fry as one ageless human being speaking to another, and in ways that uncannily convey the metaphorically richness of the words. The music is witty, urbane, often ironic, and as sophisticated as all children inherently are until our adult-controlled world succeeds in dumbing them down. The music to The Runaway Bunny proves to be a fine ad hoc violin concerto that highlights Ittai Shapira’s estimable skills.


One of this offering’s agendas is to introduce children to the joys and richness of the symphony orchestra. To put this into a larger perspective, this offering is, in its own way, on the exalted level of Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf , or Britten’s The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra.


The sound is up to the highest of current standards, and the performances by the Royal Philharmonic conducted by Barry Wordsworth show them in fine fettle, as have so many others by him that currently grace my library.


In searching for a way to close this piece, I was tempted to say something to the effect of “recommended to the child in all of us.” Instead I will take my leave by saying that it helps us to respect the child in all of us, especially that which resides in our children.


FANFARE: William Zagorski

Bartok: Piano Music, Vol. 4: For Children

The “Vokalhelden” [vocal heroes] from the Education Program of the Berlin Philharmonic interpret 22 children’s songs from throughout all of Europe in arrangements by Peter Schindler. + The songs are performed in their respective languages or in a German transcription. + This CD is part of the “Lieder Project” an effort that promotes and benefits singing with children. + It emphasizes quality and is designed especially for children. + Proceeds from the Lieder Project are donated to causes furthering singing with children.

Prokofiev: Peter and the Wolf - Saint-Saëns: The Carnival of

Gentle lullabies and quiet music combine to form this special program of music to invite sleep. Unlike most calming programs, this release relies on real instruments and fine classical music, progressing gradually into calmer and quieter waters, growing slower and more repetitive, and eventually fading away into sweet rest for the listener!

Ever since Sergei Prokofiev wrote 'Peter and the Wolf,' composers have been drawn to children's stories. 'LISTEN TO THE STORYTELLER' is a collection of delightful children's tales set to music by three of the most daring young composers in all of music: Wynton Marsalis, Edgar Meyer and Patrick Doyle.
Marsalis's 'The Fiddler and the Dancin' Witch' tells the tale of a headstrong young fiddler and his encounter with a nasty witch. Marsalis's music is a vibrant mix of blues, country and dance rhythms played with style by violin virtuoso Joshua Bell. The bass player Edgar Meyer's 'The Lesson of the Land' is a gentle tale of three native American lads on their journey to manhood. Meyer's music is colorful and compelling for both young and old. The film music composer Patrick Doyle's, 'The Face in the Lake,' is a tale of a young maiden named Olwen and her struggle with the powers of nature. The tale is narrated by actress Kate Winslet and is brought to vibrant life by Doyle's music. This is a delicious recording for children as well as their parents.

Most tellingly, Christmas songs render the joy and anticipation of children at Christmas time. + The children’s choir “SingsalaSing” of the Landesakademie for young musicians in Baden-Württemberg, Ochsenhausen, sing 26 traditional and new yuletide songs from Germany and its neighboring countries. + This CD is part of the “Lieder Project” an effort that promotes and benefits singing with children. + It emphasizes quality and is designed especially for children. + Proceeds from the Lieder Project are donated to causes furthering singing with children.

Violin Concertos for Children, Vol. 2

Classical Music

A funny frolick of silly little ditties for kids containing all of the best of Joe Wise collected from his albums Close Your Eyes, Pockets, and Show Me Your Smile.

Beautiful piano music to excite, inspire and encourage, composed with children in mind, from Mozart's variations on 'Twinkle, twinkle, little star' and evocative children's pieces by Debussy, Schumann and others, to minuets and other simple pieces which children often learn to play.

Michael Hurd was a pioneer in composing brief, witty and, above all, performable choral music for children to enjoy. When Jonah-Man Jazz arrived in 1966, young singers and their teachers had modern-sounding music to make and share.

Classical Music

La Bella Stella is the fifth release in the critically-acclaimed Celebrate Earth series from Recess Music. This album of children's music features many contrasting styles and teaches kids about galaxies, solar systems, and other wonders of our universe. These songs were chosen for La Bella Stella because they engage, educate, entertain, and encourage children to think about the natural setting of their lives to balance the 'virtual' world they live in. Just like the other discs in the Celebrate Earth series, La Bella Stella features engaging, fun tunes enjoyable for kids and parents alike!

Includes suite(s) by Johann Sebastian Bach.

SING ALONG STEW

Classical Music

Introduce your little one to the spiritually uplifting music of the Baroque with timeless favorites carefully chosen for young ears. Parents will also love this collection! 22 all-instrumental tracks.

Classical Music

Realizing that early exposure is key to a lifetime of classical enjoyment, Amelia and pianist Carol Rosenberger (now Delos’ director), made the production of recordings for the very young one of their pet priorities. The resulting Family Classics Series (numbering more than 25 albums) has been hailed by critics and customers alike as the finest and most comprehensive series ever produced for young people. And a key component of this vibrant and varied series is the eleven-disc array of “Baby Needs” recordings. Three of these are being re-released, all with attractive new artwork. “Baby Needs Baroque” (DE 1609) is a varied and charming collection of Baroque-era jewels, selected individually for their “kid appeal.” Similarly, “Baby Needs Beethoven” (DE 1610) and “Baby Needs More Mozart” (DE 1614) offer gentle and accessible selections from their respective composers that are sure to captivate and soothe the spirits of little people … big people too! It’s family listening at its best.

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Footprint Records is proud to present a new release by the compelling Swedish vocal quartet Tetra. Once again, Tetra takes us around the world- this time, in search of lullabies. As always, they treat us to a cultural feast, deliciously prepared and spiced with their tasteful arrangements for vocals and percussion. They also have some extra star power, with appearances by Jonas Simonson, flutes; Ahmad al-Khatib, oud; and Senegal’s spellbinding Adama Cissokho. Four distinctive vocalists come together in Tetra, all sharing a world music background: Ingrid Brannstrom represents the Nordic folk tradition, while Sanna Kallman sweeps us off to the Caribbean. Anna Ottertun leads the way to the Arabic culture sphere, and Maria Stellas has Greek ornamentation in her blood. This is Tetra’s third release on the Footprint label, following “Hiyya” and “Viv tolerans.”