PROKOFIEV
Peter and the Wolf by Prokofiev is possibly the best introduction guide for kids to approach the world of orchestral music. The brilliant idea of linking an instrument to a character throughout the story has turned this score into a classic of the musical repertoire for children.
To present the classics is not enough if you want to find fire instead of ashes: you need to convey them, not merely execute them. In my early discussions with Sergio Caballero, director of the Sonar Kids festival, he proposed the idea of bringing dancing and urban culture to the project. The company Brodas Bros was to bring a new dimension to the score and the classic intervention of the narrator. The proposal was entirely in the spirit of the OSV´s current concerts: to bring back life to musical heritage in order to avoid its gradual petrification in museum repertoire. Instead of cold statues without arms, we had characters with movements of today’s urban rhythms.
The duration of Peter and the Wolf is not enough to cover a concert in its entirety. It was important to us not to segment the concert with a pause, so we had to include other works within the same show. We came up with a simple idea: just as it is often the case at bedtime stories before the story begins, children have to choose one. With this mini script, we could introduce the wonderful works of Maurice Ravel collection for children: Ma mère l’Oye. Prokofiev’s March 99 op. adapted from an original score for “Soviet military band” to a symphonic orchestra instrumentation would serve as the opening, centre and end of the concert, providing the required musical unity.
The Brodas Bros, with Lluc Fruitós split role as dancer and narrator, accompanied by a group of young “hunter hip-hopers” masterfully helped Pedro hunt the Wolf and make hundreds of children very happy, judging by their laughter and applause. Many of them will never forget what a Bassoon is or how a Horn sounds.
CONCERT CREDITS
Conductor: Pedro Alcalde
Orchestra: Orquestra Simfònica del Vallés (OSV)
Narrator: Lluc Fruitós
Choreography: Brodas Bros
Sónar Kids
Venue: Palau de la Música Catalana Barcelona
Date: 17th September 2016
PROGRAMME
Sergei Prokofiev: March B flat op 99
Maurice Ravel: Ma mère l’Oye:
1. Pavane de la Belle au bois dormant
2. Laideronnette, Impératrice des pagodes
3. Le jardín féerique
Sergei Prokofiev: Peter and the Wolf op 67
Sergei Prokofiev: March B flat op 99
PERFORMANCES
17-09-2016 Palau de la Música Catalana Barcelona Spain
19-11-2016 Palau de la Música Catalana Barcelona Spain
13-06-2017 Kursaal Manresa Spain
28-06-2017 Théâtre de L’Archipiel Perpignan France
28-06-2017 Auditori Municipal Vilafranca Spain
03-02-2018 Palau de la Música Catalana Barcelona Spain 2
15-08-2018 Festival Castell Peralada Girona Spain
Total performances 8
