Abstract ABC Disc One: This disc has two fables, besides its songs and stories, with a steady background of classical music. GA runs 3:11, features a narrator with a non-native English accent, a woman's voice for the ant, and the moral "We should always make plans for the future." TMCM runs 3:21. The two mice are so eager to be off to the city that they do not even finish the country meal. The country mouse runs--from the cook--head-first into the floorboard before she gets into the hole through it....

Abstract GHI Disc One: This disc has two fables, besides its songs and stories, with a steady background of classical music. They are Tracks 21 and 22. The first features a male narrator with a non-native English accent. "The Goat And The Fox" runs 2:04 and starts in medias res. When the goat appears, the fox seizes his opportunity. The fox lets the goat first drink and then ask the question about getting out. The fox laughs as he goes on his way. "You should always look carefully before you do...

Abstract MNO Disc One: This disc has two fables, besides its songs and stories, with a steady background of classical music. They are Tracks 22 and 23. The first features a male narrator with a non-native English accent. MSA (2:37) has the male narrator imitating various voices along the way. In this version the bridge breaks and the two humans get wet, though the donkey seems to have got away before the bridge broke. I find that version difficult. "You cannot please everyone all the time. Do you...

Abstract STUV Disc One: This disc has two fables, besides its songs and stories, with a steady background of classical music. They are Tracks 19 and 20. Both are narrated by a male narrator with a non-native English accent. SW (4:04) has an elaborate argument lasting for weeks and causing both the north wind and the sun to neglect their normal duties. The bet is well expressed; it is about "whichever of us can get the coat off of that farmer." The effects of both north wind and sun are described in...

Abstract

The CD format makes these delightful renditions even more available for use in the classroom or lecture situation. Seven fables are surrounded by an overture and a reprise and are interspersed with five "I'd better stay me" interludes. To listen to these renditions, visit Internet Archive. See my comment on the original record.

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A very nice rendition of sixteen La Fontaine fables, complete with well integrated orchestral support. Millaire has a lovely voice. See the book and cassette that were all apparently done together.

Abstract The three stories are "The Reluctant Dragon" with words by David Grant based on a story by Kenneth Grahame, "Brother Heinrich's Christmas" with story and music by John Rutter, and "The Wind in the Willows" with words by David Grant based on the book by Kenneth Grahame. The album is directed especially to Christmas. "Fable" here means "fairy tale." It is a real pleasure to hear both the excellent singing and the clear articulation by singers and readers. The whole production is tasteful, from...

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Very high quality performance by the readers. After each of the fables, the reader offers a personal remark climaxed by verse written for this disk by Judith Cummings. There is nice musical background to support the readings. If one wanted one English-language disk performance of fables, this would be a good disk to start with.

Abstract This was a lark! I bid not knowing what the disc might entail. The disc is named after one song (the fourth track on the CD, lasting 2:17). That song starts with these words "Aesop wrote a fable about the tortoise and the hare. I always take the scenic route when I want to get somewhere." It soon moves into the refrain about the singer's woman: "She's a natural born lover, and she loves to take her time." Thus she never uses a calendar or remembers dates or hurries. Is she the tortoise or...

Abstract

The CD format makes these delightful renditions even more available for use in the classroom or lecture situation. Seven fables are surrounded by an overture and a reprise and are interspersed with five "I'd better stay me" interludes. To listen to these renditions, visit Internet Archive. See my comment on the original record.

Abstract As in the promotional CD done by the Sunday Telegraph, the Vivaldi background contributes, as do sound effects, and voice transformations from Lesser. Naxos had used this same recording on an audio cassette in our collection from 2000 and for the Telegraph promotion. Again there are 66 tracks. The stories are kept brief, and they are both well fashioned and well narrated. Of course there is a British accent. Lesser creates contrasting voices well for the lamb and the crane in the first...

Abstract This is the first time, I believe, that I have sat and listened to these renderings. They are delightful. The music moves wonderfully in coordination with the text of La Fontaine. The silent moment, for example, in "Shepherd and Sea" comes at the time when the former flock owner has lost everything at sea and must return now to be a hired shepherd. The contrast in voices in "Cobbler and Financier" is also engaging. Likewise, the choice of phrases to be repeated supports well what is...