Peter and the Wolf

'Peter In The Wolf' is a classical music classic, perhaps even the classic, for children. Almost from its first performance in Stalin's Russia, it's images of boy, duck, bird, cat and wolf have become a staple.

Pianist and entertainer Rainer Hersch is one of those brought up on Prokofiev's tale of boyish bravery and bravado.

Others include Richard Baker, Terry Wogan and Angela Rippon - as well as more unlikely figures like American comic Peter Schikele and broadcaster Floella Benjamin.

Rainer endeavours to find out more about the hinterland of the piece from the daughter of Natalia Satz, the woman who encouraged Prokofiev to write the piece in the first place and who performed it thousands of times before handing over the role to her daughter.

Producer: Tom Alban

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2005.