Our year-end recital features some fantastic selections from the beloved musical suite, The Carnival of the Animals, by 19th century famed composer Camille Saint-Saens. This musical masterpiece translates both whimsy & precision to it’s listener. Featuring 14 movements, each one profiling a different animal species, the entire work truly allows you to close your eyes and envision all 14 types of animals through the musical expression of each one’s characteristics. Whether the hopping kangaroos bounding up and down the piano, or the swarming aquarium gracefully moving in the water by means of strings and woodwinds, this collective piece of music is unmatched in it’s ability to spark the imagination with both realism and fantasy.
Be sure to listen to the end of the suite for the “cherry on top” experience with the finale movement The Swan, truly one of the most lovely pieces of symphonic delight. The Swan is also the musical feature for the lovely classical ballet performance piece The Dying Swan, an earned honor to perform that some of the most famous ballerinas have embodied throughout the last 100 years (fun ballet factoid!).
Can you listen to all 14 movements and guess what wildlife creature you hear in the music? Mark down how many you’re able to guess and then create a ballet dance to your favorite selection!
Couple of inspiring video clips to watch as well!