PROKOFIEV’S POPULAR AND CHARMING CLASSIC TALE OF
PETER AND THE WOLF COMES TO LIFE IN PACIFIC SYMPHONY’S NEW FAMILY SERIES CONCERT, FEATURING MAGIC CIRCLE MIME CO.
Pacific Symphony performs what is surely the best-known and first-heard piece of music for most children: Prokofiev¡¯s ¡°Peter and the Wolf.¡± Wishing to make a lasting impression on a whole new generation, this Family Musical Mornings concert offers a fresh and engaging approach to the thrilling tale, with Symphony favorite, Magic Circle Mime Co., returning to tell the brave story of Peter, a young boy who must outwit a fearsome wolf to save his animal friends.
Led by Assistant Conductor Maxim Eshkenazy, principal Symphony musicians become the heroes of the story with Mercedes Smith (flute) as the Bird, Jessica Pearlman (oboe) as the Duck and Benjamin Lulich (clarinet) as the Cat. Taking place Saturday, Feb. 5, at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. in the Ren¨¦e and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, with a musical carnival before and after the show, this 45-minute concert is designed for children of all ages, but especially those 5-11.
With the thundering timpani of the Hunters and the sounds of the stalking Wolf, played by the French horns, the music keeps children on the edge of their seats. Von Supp¨¦¡¯s Overture to ¡°Light Calvary,¡± is used to connect music, painting pictures and telling stories, to prepare children to hear ¡°Peter and the Wolf¡± in its entirety. Consistently praised for their imaginative and innovative content, Magic Circle Mime Co., the creative partnership of Maggie Petersen and Douglas MacIntyre, performed with the Symphony last season for ¡°Orchestra from Planet X¡± and three years ago for ¡°The Listener.¡± Family Musical Mornings Concerts are sponsored by Farmers and Merchants Bank. Tickets are $24-41; for more information or to purchase tickets call (714) 755-5799 or visit www.PacificSymphony.org.
¡°The two mimes are such amazing, professional and inspiring artists,¡± says Maestro Eshkenazy. ¡°They¡¯re really funny, and in a thoughtful way that children and families adore. They perform around the world and have brought their craft to the point that it¡¯s understandable for children and really helps connect people to the music. They¡¯re fantastic.¡±
Originally written to bring the love of music to children in their first years of school, Prokofiev¡¯s ¡°Peter and the Wolf¡± has since become a timeless classic with countless renditions¡ªfrom Walt Disney¡¯s animated film (1946) to David Bowie¡¯s narration with the Philadelphia Orchestra to the Academy Award-winning film by director Suzie Templeton (2006).
When asked why he thinks ¡°Peter and the Wolf¡± is so popular, Eshkenazy says, ¡°I always answer this question the same way: Why Corvette 1966? Why Beethoven¡¯s Fifth? Why ¡®Peter and the Wolf¡¯? Classics are classics and Prokofiev must have done something right. ¡®Peter and the Wolf¡¯ was written in a very short period of time¡ªonly four days¡ªbut it is one of his most famous pieces. It¡¯s incredible, humorous and educational. It has beautifully sophisticated music that makes sense to every age everywhere in the world. Play it on any continent and it makes sense.¡±
Magic Circle Mime Co. is regarded as one of today¡¯s premier family attractions. Both Petersen and MacIntyre have backgrounds in theatre and instrumental music and have used their training to unite the concert orchestra with visual theatre. They have performed with virtually every major orchestra in North America¡ªand have a growing reputation outside the states, as well, performing as far away as the Pacific Rim and much of Asia. They made their European debut with the Palau de la M¨²sica de Valencia in April of 2007.
In addition to the concert, children and their parents are invited to attend the
Symphony¡¯s Musical Carnival¡ªbeginning at 9 a.m. (for those attending the 10 a.m. concert) and 12:15 p.m. (for those attending the 11:30 a.m. concert)¡ªwhere kids enjoy hands-on musical experiences. Children can Meet the Musicians, enjoy a fun coloring station, and play instruments from the woodwind family in the Musical Petting Zoo.
¡°Like so many, I remember the first time I heard ¡®Peter and the Wolf,¡¯¡± says Eshkenazy. ¡°I was taken from my music school, and we walked to the concert. I was only in the fifth grade, and I still remember it vividly. I thought, ¡®Oh, no! He¡¯s going to eat the duck!¡¯ So many memorable moments! And like me, children will remember it for years to come.¡±
Jayce Keane
Director of Public Relations
Pacific Symphony
3631 S. Harbor Blvd. Suite 100
Santa Ana, CA 92704
Direct: 714/ 876-2383 ©¦Tickets: 714/ 755-5799
www.PacificSymphony.org
