A brand new Deutsche Grammophon's recording of Prokofiev's childrens classic, Peter and the Wolf now coupled for the first time with a specially-written prequel. The imaginative pre-story places Peter and the Wolf in Hollywood, whilst weaving together excerpts from some of the greatest symphonic masterpieces by Wagner, Mahler, Elgar, Puccini, Mussorgsky, Schumann, Satie, Zemlinsky, Grieg, Smetana. The concept developed by the New York production company Giants are Small extends for the first time ever the Peter and the Wolf we all know by a 30min prequel with the full blessing of the Prokofiev Foundation to a one hour piece of family entertainment. American rock legend Alice Cooper lends his voice for the narration of this classic story!

Romance and Counterpoint is the latest instalment in Alexander Shelley's multi-year and multi-disc exploration of the music – and, through the music, the lives – of Clara, Robert, and Johannes. Their creative output reflects not only their individual brilliance and characters, but also the role of the creative artist in their time and across the centuries. Pianists Angela Hewitt and Stewart Goodyear, and violinist Yosuke Kawasaki, join Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra in this concluding homage.