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Pierre et le loup ( Peter and the Wolf) , a visually gorgeous animated narrative rich with typography
Camera Lucida and Radio France collaborated in 2014 to create a series of classical music-filled applications for children. Gordon (Thierry Guernet), Pierre-Emmanuel Lyet, and Corentin Leconte collaborated on a typography-filled rendition of Sergei Prokofiev’s Pierre et le loup. It’s a spectacular version that combines animation, musical symbols, and musicians, led by maestro Daniele Gatti and featuring the National Orchestra of France.While the format of the retelling is novel, the plot remains traditional. There are gun-toting hunters, and (spoiler alert) the wolf devours the duck. It’s brilliantly depicted.
Peter and the wolf instruments
From Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf performance directions:
Each character in the story is represented by a different instrument in the orchestra:
Sergei Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf is a beloved children’s symphony that introduces young listeners to the different instruments of the orchestra. Each character in the story is represented by a specific instrument, and Prokofiev uses their themes to illustrate the character’s personality and role in the story.
The Bird
The bird is represented by the flute, a high-pitched woodwind instrument with a bright and clear sound. The flute’s theme is playful and carefree, reflecting the bird’s joyful nature.
The Duck
The duck is represented by the oboe, a double-reeded woodwind instrument with a mellow and expressive sound. The oboe’s theme is gentle and graceful, reflecting the duck’s beauty and grace.
The Cat
The cat is represented by the clarinet, a single-reeded woodwind instrument with a wide range of sounds. The clarinet’s theme is sly and mischievous, reflecting the cat’s cunning and playful nature.
Peter’s Grandfather
Peter’s grandfather is represented by the bassoon, a double-reed woodwind instrument with a rich and deep sound. The bassoon’s theme is kind and wise, reflecting Grandfather’s benevolent nature.
The Wolf
The wolf is represented by three French horns, a brass instrument with a powerful and imposing sound. The French horns’ theme is dark and menacing, reflecting the wolf’s predatory nature.
Peter
Peter is represented by the string section of the orchestra, which includes the violins, violas, cellos, and double basses. The string section can produce a wide range of sounds, from delicate and lyrical to bold and dramatic. Peter’s theme is heroic and adventurous, reflecting his courage and determination.
The Hunters
The hunters are represented by the timpani and bass drum, two percussion instruments with loud and powerful sounds. The timpani and bass drum play together to create a sense of excitement and drama during the scene where the hunters capture the wolf.
Before an orchestral performance, show the children these instruments and have them play the respective leitmotivs on them. As a result, throughout the recital of this story, the youngsters learn to recognize the sounds of the instruments.
And, while there is some French narration, their excellent visual and melodic storytelling does not require any knowledge of French.
If the video above is no longer available, you can find the 30-minute piece here on France.tv or (though it’s a bit buggy for us since we bought it a few years ago) in the Pierre et le loup app for iPad or iPhone.
Camera Lucida provides a series of clips from the animation in this playlist. A few are included below:
The Duck in Peter and the Wolf: A Graceful and Charming Creature
The duck in Sergei Prokofiev’s classic children’s symphony, Peter and the Wolf, is a fascinating and endearing character. She is represented by the oboe, a woodwind instrument with a mellow, lyrical sound. The duck’s theme is playful and carefree, reflecting her joyful nature.
The duck first appears in the story when she escapes from Grandfather’s yard and goes for a swim in the pond. She is oblivious to the danger that lurks nearby, in the form of a hungry wolf. However, Peter is watching over her, and he warns her of the wolf’s approach. The duck quickly swims to safety, but the wolf is not so easily outsmarted. He chases the duck around the pond, until she is finally cornered.
Just when it seems that the duck is about to be devoured, Peter comes to her rescue. He lowers a noose from a tree and lassoes the wolf by the tail. The wolf struggles to free himself, but Peter’s knot is too secure. The wolf is captured, and the duck is saved.
The duck in Peter and the Wolf is more than just a minor character. She is a symbol of beauty, grace, and vulnerability. She is also a reminder that even the smallest and most seemingly insignificant creatures deserve our protection.
The Duck’s Musical Theme
The duck’s musical theme in Peter and the Wolf is one of the most popular and recognizable melodies in the entire symphony. It is played by the oboe, a woodwind instrument with a mellow, lyrical sound. The theme is playful and carefree, reflecting the duck’s joyful nature.
The duck’s theme is first introduced in the opening movement of the symphony, when the duck escapes from Grandfather’s yard and goes for a swim in the pond. The theme is repeated throughout the story, whenever the duck appears.
In the final movement of the symphony, when Peter captures the wolf, the duck’s theme is played triumphantly. This symbolizes the duck’s victory over the wolf and her rescue by Peter.
The Duck’s Symbolism
The duck in Peter and the Wolf is a symbol of beauty, grace, and vulnerability. She is also a reminder that even the smallest and most seemingly insignificant creatures deserve our protection.
The duck’s beauty is evident in her white feathers and her graceful swimming. Her grace is also reflected in her playful and carefree nature. However, the duck is also vulnerable. She is a small creature, and she is no match for the wolf.
The duck’s vulnerability is a reminder that even the most beautiful and graceful creatures are not immune to danger. It is also a reminder that we must protect those who are weaker than us.
