MIKE MULLIGAN AND HIS STEAM SHOVEL

Following in Prokofiev's tradition, composer/conductor Stephen Simon sets Burton's classic tale against a musical backdrop performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Narrator Yadu (a.k.a. Konrad Czynski) humorously teases out the story's central drama (will Mike Mulligan finish digging before the sun goes down?) while the orchestra's musical illustrations and sound effects heighten the suspense. After the story Simon offers insights about how he composed the music so that listeners can hear the story again "with new ears." Children will enjoy picking out the airplane/trombones and the Irish (not Scottish) bagpipes featured in Mike Mulligan's theme song. Both children and parents will enjoy the information in the "Magic Maestro" program book, which comes with the CD. J.C.G. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/ NOV 06]