PETER AND THE WOLF AT THE ZOO (Slovenia) at 10:30 Am and 5:30 PM
Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra
Conductor: Mitja Dragolič
Narrator: Anže Zevnik
Programme:
Benjamin Ipavec (1829–1908), Serenade for string orchestra, I. Allegro moderato
Sergei Prokofiev (1891–1953), Peter and the Wolf (symphonic tale for children), Op. 67
Peter, strings
wolf, french horns
bird, flute
duck, oboe
cat, clarinet
grandfather, bassoon
hunters, woodwinds
This year Imago Slovenia will repeat last year’s successful experiment of setting a magical concert in the unmatched ambience of the Ljubljana ZOO. The Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra will perform the symphonic tale Peter and the Wolf, giving a nod to the new wolf pen, which the Ljubljana ZOO is building at the occasion of its 75th anniversary.
When the already successful pianist and composer Sergei Prokofiev returned to his native Russia in 1936, he was a household name, since his compositions were consistently performed in his homeland the whole time he was living in the US and Western Europe. His style introduced the Russian audience to contemporary, even radically modern musical compositional elements, which he dutifully framed in a strict classicist form.
He composed Peter and the Wolf on the commission of the then director of the Central Children’s Theatre in Moscow, Nataliya Sats. The intent was to introduce children to individual orchestral instruments and teach them to distinguish between musical keys. This is why the composition presents each and every orchestral instrument family. Prokofiev was unhappy with the original libretto, which popular children’s author Antonia Sokolovskaya wrote about a young soviet pioneer Peter, who stood up to an adult in his pursuit of justice. Instead the composer opted to write his own text, taking as his central theme the triumph of man over nature, he shaped a story about the adventurous young pioneer Peter, who bravely took on a wolf. It took Prokofiev less than a week to prepare the piano score and then nine days to to finish the orchestration.
This production of the suite will be performed by a chamber ensemble comprised of members of the Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra. This venerable institution traces its earliest beginnings to 1701, when its predecessor, the Academia Philharmonicorum, was founded. During the time of Enlightenment and its burgeoning bourgeoisie, it was followed by the Philharmonic Society (1794), which was reputed as one of the best organised institutions of its type in all of central Europe. It is therefore no surprise that composers who gladly accepted its honorary membership included Joseph Haydn, Ludwig van Beethoven, Niccolò Paganini, and Johannes Brahms. Today the Orchestra of the Slovenian Philharmonics performs diverse seasonal programme series which cover the standard orchestral repertoire of the 18th and 19th century as well as the most contemporary works on one, and pieces from older historical periods on the other hand. Its high quality and enduring tradition was also presented abroad. In the most recent decades, the Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra toured the world’s most prestigious halls and most illustrious festivals.
Admission is included in the ticket to the Ljubljana ZOO except for Slovenian Philharmonic subscribers, who will be able to attend on 24. Aug after 4 pm admission free.
The concert will be part of the annual event hosted by Vita Insurance at the Ljubljana Zoo. As in previous years, the event will feature an engaging and diverse program in collaboration with the zoo, where children can learn a lot about wolves and other predators.
In case of rain, the concert will be rescheduled to Sunday, August 25.
In collaboration with: