When it comes to bringing children closer to the joys of classical music, I can unreservedly recommend everything that Malte Arkona brings to the market in various CD releases. Be it the “orchestra detectives” or his recordings under “SWR Young Classix”. But I especially like the interaction with the fictional character Mezzo. This is a funny male with extremely large ears, who is very cheeky and inquisitive. Even adults can learn a lot from Mezzo’s infinite fantasy, which unfolds again and again in dialogue with Malte.
If you have children, you know Malte Arkona from the “Tigerenten Club” and the show “The best class in Germany”. His casual, explanatory manner is never ingratiating. He always meets children and, on their behalf, his partner Mezzo, at eye level. So you don’t explain with a raised index finger, but you go on a journey of discovery into the world of music.
Animals play a major role in the two new editions of the series. First there is Sergei Prokofiev’s orchestral story “Peter and the Wolf”, which has delighted generations of young and old people. So that it doesn’t get too dry, Arkona uses the narrative text version by Loriot. But the storyline is also important: During a walk through the forest, which Mezzo finds infinitely boring at first, Malte tells the exciting story – musically performed by the Dresden Philharmonic. This brings the tension to the young listeners on different levels. And adults will also enjoy the music and the story. The CD is supplemented by two more Prokofiev recordings: “Die Ferkelchen” and “The ugly young duckling”.
While the story of “Peter and the Wolf” is still easy to convey, “Carnival of the Animals” gets down to business. The orchestral suite by Camille Saint-Saëns does not have a narrative character, but introduces different animals in 14 small movements. So it is necessary to invent a completely new story for a radio play and to accommodate all animals in it. This is what Malte and his co-author Martin Zeltner do with flying colors: Malte & Mezzo drives the wanderlust to the airport. Here you can get a taste of the big wide world. All of a sudden, Mezzo is attacked by an urgent desire to receive a gift from Africa. Instead of material goods, there is a story. The animals of a small animal school in Zimbabwe really want to experience the Carnival of the Animals in Paris and are on their way. The journey becomes a great adventure and you meet all kinds of animal species whose secrets want to be revealed.
Malte Arkona himself has often appeared on major concert stages in Germany, Austria and Luxembourg. He moderated family concerts, enthusiastic school classes and has already won the ECHO Klassik for radio plays three times. It quickly becomes clear why this is so: Malte can convey his enthusiasm unreservedly and inspire people. The radio play series “Malte & Mezzo” is really a pleasure. Malte slips into the various speaking roles and effortlessly and virtuously provides the entire staff for each radio play. In the end, you have learned something without even realizing it. This is the finest edutainment and great entertainment for the whole family.
The series is great fun and I am enthusiastic about the ingenuity of the idea generator. It is definitely suitable for children aged 4-12. Soon there will be an audio book about the composer Robert Schumann. I’m happy for that!
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