Serge Prokofiev

Peter and the Wolf / Wolf Tracks Serge Prokofiev

Peter and the Wolf is a story about a young boy who conquers a wolf. The boy Peter is represented by a sprightly string quartet, and the Bird sings its trills and runs on the flute. Grandfather's grumbling presence is immediately recognizable on the bassoon and the Cat stalks and preens as a clarinet. Finally, there is the Wolf himself, whose sinister musical shape is three French horns. Wolf Tracks is a tale that converts the image of the wolf from a fearsome creature to one that represents the imperative to cherish and protect natural resources. With support from the Russian Arts Foundation, the RNO commissioned French composer Beintus to write the score of the new piece and selected award winning broadcast writer Walt Kraemer to create the accompanying text. The art on the cover is the work of some very special children who live in Moscow orphanages and facilities for the disabled. The drawings were selected from the hundreds shown at the 2002 ""How I See Music"" Exhibition, an annual event sponsored by the RNO at the Moscow Conservatory.