Audio Clips:

I. The Hare and the Tortoise

II. The Fox and the Grapes

III. The Ants and the Grasshopper

IV. The Oak and the Reeds

V. The Milkmaid and her Pail

Aesop's Fables (1993)

I. The Hare and the Tortoise
II. The Fox and the Grapes
III. The Ants and the Grasshopper
IV. The Oak and the Reeds
V. The Milkmaid and her Pail

Commissioned by Ann Brodie's Carolina Ballet

pic/fl, ob, cl, bsn, hn, tpt, 2 perc, strings and narrator

Duration: 15 minutes (ca. 3 minutes per movement)

These light, colorful, and descriptive vignettes are ideal for young people's concerts and teaching the instruments of the orchestra. Select any combination of fables, or perform the complete set.  Entertaining and engaging whether choreographed or presented as a concert piece.

"I highly recommend Aesop's Fables by Richard Maltz. We recently performed them at several children's concerts and they were very well received. Dr. Maltz's music greatly enhances the stories. Aesop's Fables is well-written and our orchestra enjoyed performing it."

Donald Portnoy, Music Director
Augusta Symphony Orchestra

"Fables is a wonderfully crafted work. I think that it is particularly suited to a chamber orchestra much on the same scale as Peter and the Wolf. I look forward to using it again in the future."

Donald Spieth, Music Director
Lehigh Valley Chamber Orchestra

"We are delighted to perform Aesop's Fables and integrate the work as a foundation element of our Music for Young People's program for the local school district. Thank you for giving life to these musical stories."

Darlene A. Dreyer, Executive Director
Garden State Philharmonic