Musical Fables

A concert program of imagination, musical imagery, and invention - perfect for an early Spring afternoon adventure!

Peter and the Wolf
is a "symphonic fairy tale for children", written by Sergei Prokofiev in 1936. The narrator tells a children's story, while the orchestra illustrates it by using different instruments to play a "theme" that represents each character in the story. It is Prokofiev's most frequently performed work and one of the most frequently performed works in the entire classical repertoire.

Carnival of the Animals
was written by French composer, Camille Saint Saëns, in 1886 – and is a humorous musical suite of movements about animals, set for two pianos plus chamber orchestra. The composer forbade its publication during his lifetime, concerned that it might damage his reputation as a ‘serious’ composer. However, following its publication in 1922 the work become of his most-famous and beloved compositions. 

Concerto for Two Pianos, by Francis Poulenc –

Poulenc composed the two-piano concerto during his early period, when he was creating a large number of delightfully flippant works rich in entertaining qualities. He may perhaps have been influenced in the lightheartedness of his 1932 concerto by the fact that Ravel, the year before, had composed two piano concertos, both of which had somewhat the character of divertimentos. Certainly Poulenc’s work could join the two Ravel compositions in cheerfulness: its main goal is to entertain, and in that it has succeeded admirably from the day of its premiere.

Poulenc’s additive style of composition makes his music particularly rich in tunes; they seem to follow, section by section, one after another, with varying character, sometimes hinting at the neoclassical Stravinsky, sometimes at the vulgarity of the music hall. (Note by Steven Ledbetter)

This concert benefits our Community Partner, Wildlife Prairie Park.

Local radio celebrity Greg Batton as narrator

Narrator Greg Batton:

 Greg Batton has been co-hosting The Greg and Dan Show on WMBD Radio since 2005 with partner Dan Diorio, who’s been his friend for 30 years. Prior to this, his radio partner of 10 years was his wife, Yvonne Greer. He loves getting on the mic every morning not knowing exactly where it will take them. In recent years, Greg began doing standup comedy, which he claims is not too different from talk radio—except for the immediate feedback of a live audience.  Greg is the father of 4, husband to Yvonne Greer, and a proud Peorian. He is a storyteller and Dreamer. Greg’s motto is: Do Good, Be Kind, Go Home, Repeat.

Greg is in demand to emcee events and host parties, and brings his vocal and comedic talents to our evening of Musical Fables.

Piano Soloists Victor Cayres and Paul Johnston

Victor Cayres

Paul Johnston