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Shirim: Pincus and the Pig
ByContinuing in that vein, their klezmerification of Sergei Profiev's 1936 Peter and the Wolf through clever and traditionally grounded arrangements is a resounding success. In many ways more Russian sounding than the original, with narration by grandfatherly Maurice Sendak, the misadventures of the boyish Pincus are musically represented by Glen Dickson's artfully chirping clarinet. Pincus enlists a cast of engaging musical characters as he does battle with David Harris and Jim Gray, whose trombone and tuba menacingly depict the villainous pig "Chozzer." Appearances by drummer Eric Rosenthal's "Cossacks and Brandon Seabrook's cat-like banjo along with Grandfather tuba musically re-weave the familiar plot. Unceremoniously dragged off to the non-kosher butcher, thanks to Pincus and Michael McLaughlin's brave bird-like piano, Chozzer meets his predetermined demise. Klezified arrangements of Brahms, Mahler, and Rimsky-Korsakov are added to the main tale for a classically-inspired family charmer.
Track Listing
Introduction; Did You Hear of Boychick Pincus?; The Duck and the Birdie; Suddenly Pincus Spied a Cat; Zeyde Comes Out; No Sooner had They Disappeared Inside; So Now, This is How Things Stood; Fly Down and Tease the Pig; Suddenly Cossacks Sprang Out of the Woods; Now, Imagine the Triumphant Procession; And If You Listen Very Carefully...; Scheherezade (Rimsky-Korsakov); Waltz (Brahms); Gnoissienne No. 4 (Satie); Mazzesinsel Strut (Mahler)
Personnel
Maurice Sendak (narration), Glenn Dickson (clarinet), David Harris (trombone), Brandon Seabrook (banjo, mandolin), Michael McLaughlin (piano, accordion), Jim Gray (tuba), Eric Rosenthal (drums)
Album information
Title: Pincus and the Pig | Year Released: 2005 | Record Label: Tzadik