The Carnival of The Animals

If, like me, you are a dilletante when it comes to classical music and would like an easy introduction, you could do much worse than give The Carnival of The Animals a listen.


The Carnival of the Animals (Le carnaval des animaux) is a humorous musical suite of fourteen movements by the French Romantic composer Camille Saint-Saëns. At just over 23 minutes, it wont take up too much of your time.

My personal favourites are VII "Aquarium" and XII "Fossiles" (Fossils). Aquarium is one of my all-time favourites in classical music.

Enjoy.

Carnival of the Animals is a favorite of mine as well. Even with all the times I have listened to Carnival I never knew that it had titles for the various sections of the piece. Thanks for that .

Another introduction that spotlights various instruments in the classical orchestra is Sergei Prokofiev's '' Peter and the Wolf''

Probably more than any other piece of classical music ''Peter" demonstrates how each instrument can be used to color a story and tell a tale with music.

a reply to: CJCrawley

Not quite my cup of tea but I gave you flag.

a reply to: TerryMcGuire

I was brought up listening to Peter and The Wolf - the teacher used to put it on the record player and 'force' the class to listen to it. Didn't appreciate it at the time but I'm sure I will now. Thanks for posting.

Another memorable piece by Prokofiev is "Troika" ('Lieutenant Kije'). Christmas music!

a reply to: CJCrawley'Lieutenant Kije Absolutely my favorite Prokofiev

a reply to: dfnj2015

Very generous. Much obliged.

a reply to: TerryMcGuire

I never knew that it had titles for the various sections of the piece.

You've probably looked this up but here are the titles of the 14 movements:

I Introduction and Royal March of the Lion

II Hens and Roosters

III Wild Donkeys Swift Animals

IV Tortoises

V The Elephant

VI Kangaroos

VII Aquarium

VIII Characters with Long Ears

IX The Cuckoo in the Depths of the Woods

X Aviary

XI Pianists

XII Fossils

XIII The Swan

XIV Finale


Most people will recognize 3 or 4 tunes, some very familiar ones there.