The London Philharmonic Orchestra Plays The Sorcerer's Apprentice

Music and Story by Magic Maestro Music

Apr 20, 2009

Listen, learn and play along with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the marching brooms.

Many people are familiar with the Walt Disney Fantasia segment where Mickey Mouse bewitches a broom to carry water for him, but few know the origins of the story of "The Sorcerer’s Apprentice."

The first version of the story was written in 150 C.E. by the Greek Lucian. Some 1 500 years later, German poet Johann von Goethe rewrote the tale as a fourteen stanza ballad. One hundred years after that, French composer Paul Dukas told the tale in an eleven minute symphonic tone poem.

The Magic Maestro Story

The Magic Maestro rendition of “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” combines Paul Dukas’ music with the narration of Yadu. This version of the story is a third-person tale of Fritz, “who was supremely lazy,” and his misadventures with a magic spell that he casts upon a broom.

The apprentice becomes overwhelmed with water and splits the enchanted broom with an axe in an attempt to make it stop, but it only makes matters worse. Thankfully the sorcerer returns to stop the possessed brooms.

The Orchestra

Under the direction of Stephen Simon, the London Philharmonic Orchestra skilfully plays the music on the disk. There are two versions of "The Sorcerer’s Apprentice": with Yadu’s narration and without narration, as originally written.

The London Philharmonic Orchestra also provides background music during Bonnie Ward Simon’s elementary school appropriate lecture about the history of "The Sorcerer’s Apprentice" and the composer Paul Dukas.

The Lectures

On track 4, Magic Maestro Paul Simon gives a brief introduction to the music of “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.” He, with help from the London Philharmonic Orchestra, explains the different themes, techniques and instruments that Dukas used in the piece.

Simon’s talk provides an in depth look at various musical concepts, but it is not overwhelming or too intellectual for elementary students. Instead, it helps them better understand the piece in particular and music in general.

The March of the Brooms

The “March of the Brooms” theme receives the most attention on the disk. It is played twice by the percussion pit of the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps. It is written in the liner notes and is encouraged to be played by kitchen percussion, that is an ensemble of pots and pans. Four rhythmic variations are suggested for the homemade percussion, and an accompaniment track to it is included on the Magic Maestro disc.

The Booklet

Included in the three-fold cardboard cd cover is a twenty-four page booklet about the disc, Magic Maestro Music, and the individuals featured on the disc. Also included are games and activities and an introduction to pitched percussion instruments. All of the content is informative and interesting and written in a child accessible manner.

Review and Details

"The Sorcerer’s Apprentice" by Magic Maestro Music is an entertaining and informative disc. The music and narration is appropriate for all children, while the music lectures are suited for children seven and older. It is a good alternative to television and great for the car.

The copyright of the article The London Philharmonic Orchestra Plays The Sorcerer's Apprentice in Children's Instrumental Music is owned by Melissa Morelli Lacroix. Permission to republish The London Philharmonic Orchestra Plays The Sorcerer's Apprentice in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.