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After the four scales, the key changes back to C, where the pianos play a moderate speed trill-like pattern in thirds, in the style of Charles-Louis Hanon or Carl Czerny, while the strings play a small part underneath. The original edition has a note by the editors instructing the players to imitate beginners and their awkwardness. In some performances, the later, more difficult, scales are deliberately played increasingly out of time. Transitions between keys are accomplished with a blasting chord from all the instruments between scales. Each one starts with a trill on the first and second note, then proceeds in scales with a few changes in the rhythm. The scales of C, D ♭, D and E ♭ are covered. Strings and two pianos: this humorous movement (satirizing pianists as animals) is a glimpse of what few audiences ever get to see: the pianists practicing their finger exercises and scales. Introduction et marche royale du lion (Introduction and Royal March of the Lion) There are fourteen movements, each representing a different animal or animals: The suite is scored for two pianos, two violins, viola, cello, double bass, flute (and piccolo), clarinet (C and B ♭), glass harmonica, and xylophone. Frequently a glockenspiel substitutes for the rare glass harmonica. The Carnival of the Animals has since become one of Saint-Saëns's best-known works, played in the original version for eleven instruments, or more often with the full string section of an orchestra. When he likes to joke, the master never forgets that he is the master. Themes, whimsical ideas, instrumentation compete with buffoonery, grace and science. In every bar, at every point, there are unexpected and irresistible finds. From the first note to the last it is an uninterrupted outpouring of a spirit of the highest and noblest comedy. In the immense oeuvre of Camille Saint-Saëns, The Carnival of the Animals is certainly one of his magnificent masterpieces. We cannot describe the cries of admiring joy let loose by an enthusiastic public. Following his death in December 1921 it was published by Durand in Paris in April 1922 the first public performance was given on 25 February 1922 by the Concerts Colonne, conducted by Gabriel Pierné. Saint-Saëns specified in his will that the work should be published posthumously. He relented only for the famous cello solo The Swan, which forms the penultimate movement of the work, and which was published in 1887 in an arrangement by the composer for cello and solo piano (the original uses two pianos). Saint-Saëns was adamant that the work would not be published in his lifetime, seeing it as detracting from his "serious" composer image. All those performances were semi-private, except for one at the Société des instruments à vent in April 1892, and "often took place with the musicians wearing masks of the heads of the various animals they represented". There were other performances, typically for the French mid-Lent festival of Mi-Carême. Ī few days later, a second performance was given at Émile Lemoine's chamber music society La Trompette, followed by another at the home of Pauline Viardot with an audience including Franz Liszt, a friend of the composer, who had expressed a wish to hear the work. This zoological fantasy was received with great enthusiasm. Upon listening to it for a minute or two, we recognized it as the music on "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.Monsieur Lebouc managed to assemble a definitive line-up of eminent performers: Messieurs Saint-Saëns, Diémer, Taffanel, Turban, Maurin, Prioré, de Bailly and Tourcy who, after a very interesting program, took part in the first performance of a very witty fantasy burlesque, composed for this concert by Saint-Saëns and entitled the Carnival of the Animals. We were especially delighted to realize the Finale of the Carnival sounded so familiar to us. Very kid-friendly! My family has enjoyed this CD/book set. Once I got the hang of that, I could navigate the CD okay. This means each page in the book is off by one. The one thing that was confusing to me at first was that the book says "Royal March of the Lion" is track 1, but really some other piece by Saint-Saens is the first track on the CD. The illustrations are great, and each page gives you something to think about or listen for as you play the corresponding song. I love that the songs in the Carnival are short and sweet, but still put across the character of the animals portrayed. This book is perfect for reading along with the music. Well, guess which of his works of music has become the favorite! He wrote the Carnival of the Animals as a joke, and even asked that it not be published until after his death because he was worried it would ruin his reputation. This month I selected Saint-Saens, who was a French composer. This means that once a month I go into her classroom and present a lesson on a famous composer. I am the "Music Mom" in my daughter's third grade class.