From failure to favorite: Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf

Very few classical masterpieces can boast a list of narrators as diverse as Sharon Stone, Sting, Itzhak Perlman, David Bowie and Paul Hogan. Peter and the Wolf’s charm and delight has made it a timeless classic that so many continue to enjoy.

To the surprise of many, Peter and the Wolf has not always been a favorite. Its 1936 debut more or less failed. After it was recorded in 1939, Peter and the Wolf’s popularity grew and over the past 70 years has become a favorite.

Along with Phoenix Symphony Music Director Michael Christie, the Oscar winning stop-animation film, “Peter and the Wolf” will be paired with the score.

“Peter and the Wolf” features more modern animation and juxtaposes old world European charm with the impressive technology available to filmmakers today. “Peter and the Wolf” won the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film. It also won six other prestigious titles including, “Best Short Animation Film” at the BAFTA awards.

There will be three chances to catch this amazing visual and auditory treat: Thursday, February 18 at 7:30 pm, Friday, February 19 at 11 am (as a shortened Coffee Concert), and Saturday, February 20 at 8 pm.