Peter and the Wolf at Macomber!

By Jon Alden

Everything Westport

January 31, 2008

On Thursday, January 31, Infinities Chamber Ensemble, under the sponsorship of Young Audiences of Massachusetts, was at the Westport Elementary for grades 1 and 2, two performances at 9 a.m. and 10 a.m., then at Macomber School that afternoon at 1 p.m. for the kindergarten students.  The program was "Meet the Woodwinds with Peter and the Wolf."  This was a lively exploration of the woodwind instruments which demonstrated their sounds and styles from the world of classical music. The Macomber kindergarteners were enthralled by Infinities’ presentation of the ever-popular Peter and the Wolf by Prokofiev, presented in costume, with narration. Instruments were the Oboe, Flute, Bassoon, and clarinet

The Story – Courtesy of Wikipedia

Peter, a young boy, lives with his grandfather in the Russian countryside. One day Peter leaves the garden gate open, and the duck takes the opportunity to go swimming on the nearby pond. She starts arguing with a little bird ("What kind of bird are you if you can't fly?" - "What kind of bird are you if you can't swim?"). Peter's pet cat sneaks up on them, and the bird – warned by Peter - flies into a tall tree.

Peter's grumpy grandfather takes him back into the garden and locks the gate in case any wolves come near. Shortly afterwards "a big, grey wolf" does indeed come out of the woods. The cat climbs into the tree, but the duck, which has left the pond, is swallowed by the wolf.

Peter fetches a rope and climbs over the garden wall into the tree. He asks the bird to fly around the wolf's head, while he lowers a noose and catches the wolf by his tail.

In this version, the duck is spat out of the wolf as he is hanging from the noose.

Infinities' Young People's Programs are designed to make connections between the students of area schools and the world of classical music. Their main objective is to share with the audience a great enthusiasm for music and the arts. Dakotah Jennings and Mitchel Taradash, both aged 6, were picked as volunteers to assist Infinities with the association of melody, counter-melody, harmony and bass to the proper instruments.

Near right, from the left: Eleanor Taylor (bassoon), Stephanie Ratte (clarinet), Margaret Herlehy (oboe), and Judy Teehan (flute) of Infinities Chamber Ensemble.

Far left: Dakotah Jennings, aged 6, seems awe-struck with the deep bass of bassoonist Eleanor Taylor’s bassoon!

These programs were presented under the auspices of Young Audiences of Massachusetts, funded by Concerts at the Point. Young Audiences specializes in arts education in the schools. Infinities is comprised of award winning musicians who enjoy performing and appreciate the instructional value that music can provide. For further information or questions, please call Barbara Faria at (508) 636-3981. For more information about Infinities, please call (603) 362-9992 or send e-mail to info@infinitiesmusic.com.

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