Prokofiev's Symphony for Kids: Peter and the Wolf

Sergey Prokofiev created an entire Russian folk story to fuel his “symphonic tale for children,” Peter and the Wolf, about a boy, his animal friends and the wolf that almost ruins the day for all of them. The composer hoped to help young listeners identify the many sounds of the orchestra, with each character represented by a corresponding instrument: “the bird by a flute, the duck by an oboe, the cat by a clarinet playing staccato in a low register, the grandfather by a bassoon, the wolf by three horns, Peter by a string quartet, and the shooting of the hunters by the kettle drums and bass drum.” In his program note about the work, the composer also wrote that before an orchestra performance, “it is desirable to show these instruments to the children … Thereby, the children learn to distinguish the sonorities of the instruments during the performance of this tale.”

Audiences are invited to bring their kids (ages 6–12 recommended) to experience the whimsical splendor of Prokofiev’s work when the Seattle Symphony presents Peter and the Wolf in its first Family Concert of the season. The program will be rounded out by some other youth-friendly works, including, Jessie Montgomery’s orchestral snapshot of New York City, Coincident Dances, and two fast-moving pop culture-ubiquitous pieces that are sure to be recognized by all ages in the room, Rimsky-Korsakov’s Flight of the Bumble Bee and Rossini’s William Tell Overture. Wesley Schulz will conduct the program, KIRO-7 reporter Deborah Horne will serve as both concert host and narrator of Peter and the Wolf, and the adorably whimsical cut-paper-inspired illustrations featuring Peter and the Wolf characters by artist Becky Joy Aitken, created specifically for this concert, will be projected on a screen above the stage to accompany the symphonic tale, with each character appearing as its instrumental equivalent begins to play.

Free pre-concert activities begin one hour prior to the performance in the Samuel & Althea Stroum Grand Lobby, including crafts and Prokofiev’s desired instrument discovery. If needed, families are invited to borrow fidgets, wobble cushions and noise-reducing headphones at a Concert Accessories check-out station, also located in the Grand Lobby (Saturday, October 18, at 11am, S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium).