[.ca] Classics for Children

Too bad Richard Hale recording is not available.:
It is tragic that the recording of "Peter and the Wolf" with Fiedler, narrated by Richard Hale, the BEST narrator ever, is not available on CD. It was issued on vinyl in 1957.

Guiness vs. Gielgud:
I meant to get the version narrated by Sir John Gielgud not Sir Alec Guiness, but this version of Peter and the Wolf is ok. I'm not sure why the wolf must be "saved" and taken to the zoo however; I much prefer the original story, as Gielgud tells it (if I'm not mistaken). Gielgud seems to have better timing when telling the story than Guiness and the orchestra sounds zippier, for lack of a better classical term. Unfortunately, I'm having a hard time tracking down the Gielgud version on Amazon.

Alec Guinness reading Peter and the Wolf!:
Since the Peter Ustinov reading of this fine kids' tale has unhappily vanished from the catalogue, this Guiness reading (which is not mentioned in the Amazon.com listing!) is far and away the best available The Fiedler performance is acceptable if not distinguished. Peter Brawley

Classics For Children/Fielder,Boston Pops:
I have been searching for this for YEARS! My Mom got this for me when I was a child(on 8-track!)under a different title and with a different cover. I am a musician and this collection was definitely a big influence on me...I don't think my Mom knew what good she was doing when she got this for me! And I never realized until now that it was Sir Alec Guiness on this album! I am a big Star Wars fan, and this collection really brings things full circle for me! I'm buying this right now! This is a great way to introduce children to music other than Backstreet Boys and Britney Spears. THANK YOU, Amazon, for having this treasured memory in stock!

• Peter and the Wolf: Introduction
• Peter and the Wolf: The Story Begins
• Peter and the Wolf: The Bird
• Peter and the Wolf: The Duck; Dialogue With the Birds; Attack of ...
• Peter and the Wolf: Grandfather
• Peter and the Wolf: The Wolf
• Peter and the Wolf: The Duck Is Caught
• Peter and the Wolf: The Wolf Stalks the Bird and Cat
• Peter and the Wolf: Peter Prepares to Catch the Wolf
• Peter and the Wolf: The Bird Deverts the Wolf
• Peter and the Wolf: Peter Catches the Wolf
• Peter and the Wolf: The Hunters Arrive
• Peter and the Wolf: The Procession to the Zoo
• Carnival of the Animals: Introduction
• Carnival of the Animals: Royal March of the Lion
• Carnival of the Animals: Hens and Cocks
• Carnival of the Animals: Wild Horses
• Carnival of the Animals: Tortoises
• Carnival of the Animals: The Elephant
• Carnival of the Animals: Kangaroos
• Carnival of the Animals: Aquarium
• Carnival of the Animals: Personages With Long Ears
• Carnival of the Animals: The Cuckoo in the Depth of the Forest
• Carnival of the Animals: Aviary
• Carnival of the Animals: Pianists
• Carnival of the Animals: Fossils
• Carnival of the Animals: The Swan
• Carnival of the Animals: Finale
• Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71a: Miniature Overture
• Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71a: March
• Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71a: Dance of the Sugar-Plum Fairy
• Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71a: Russian Dance (Trepak)
• Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71a: Arabian Dance (Coffee)
• Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71a: Chinese Dance (Tea)
• Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71a: Dance of the Flutes
• Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71a: Waltz of the Flowers