WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln - Tarkmann: Der Mistkäfer - Lothar: Die Geschichte vom faulen Bären, Op. 87 (2005)

Writing good music for children is not easy. And every new song almost inevitably has to compete with Serge Prokofieff's Peter and the Wolf. Andreas N. Tarkmann, known for his opera arrangements for harmony music (played by the wind ensemble Sabine Meyer among others) and composer of various stage music for children's pieces, knows his way around. From the actor and author Jörg Schade he was very free after a fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen sometimes funny, sometimes exciting text compose, which is spoken by Thomas Fritsch quite excellently and also captivating for children from five years. Tarkmann wrote a grippy, child-friendly music, not without being inspired here and there by Prokofieff. The dung beetle is aptly represented by the bassoon, the princess of course by the solo violin and the frog by the trumpet with wahwah damper. Tarkmann's music has by no means only an underpinning function - rather, the text serves as a vehicle to connect closed musical images. The only problem may be the length of the musical fairy tale, 41 minutes require a small amount of meat from the small listeners. But if necessary, you can also hear chapter by chapter.

For somewhat larger listeners, the sophisticated, chromatically iridescent music of Mark Lothar (1902-1985) may be thought, and also voice and manner of presentation by Nicole Heesters are more likely to appeal to the somewhat older. The fairy tale of the bear, who comes too late in the distribution of tails, who steals the tail of the damaging badger and tackles the stub behind, Lothar has highlighted with a finely woven, exotic touch score that grateful tasks the solo tuba and with 26 minutes, the child's receptiveness is not overwhelmed. Perhaps the publication of this delightful piece gives the long overdue impetus to rediscover other composer's works as well - it would be an absolutely rewarding undertaking.

The radio orchestra of the WDR plays in both recordings with audible engagement and shines with excellent solos. Overall, a production where children and adults alike can enjoy themselves.