Track Listing

1. Carnival of the Animals, zoological fantasy for 2 pianos & ensemble: Introduction
2. Carnival of the Animals, zoological fantasy for 2 pianos & ensemble: Royal March of The Lions
3. Carnival of the Animals, zoological fantasy for 2 pianos & ensemble: Hens and Roosters
4. Carnival of the Animals, zoological fantasy for 2 pianos & ensemble: Wild Asses
5. Carnival of the Animals, zoological fantasy for 2 pianos & ensemble: Tortoises
6. Carnival of the Animals, zoological fantasy for 2 pianos & ensemble: The Elephant
7. Carnival of the Animals, zoological fantasy for 2 pianos & ensemble: Kangaroos
8. Carnival of the Animals, zoological fantasy for 2 pianos & ensemble: Aquarium
9. Carnival of the Animals, zoological fantasy for 2 pianos & ensemble: People with Long Ears
10. Carnival of the Animals, zoological fantasy for 2 pianos & ensemble: The Forest
11. Carnival of the Animals, zoological fantasy for 2 pianos & ensemble: Aviary
12. Carnival of the Animals, zoological fantasy for 2 pianos & ensemble: Pianists
13. Carnival of the Animals, zoological fantasy for 2 pianos & ensemble: Fossils
14. Carnival of the Animals, zoological fantasy for 2 pianos & ensemble: The Swan
15. Carnival of the Animals, zoological fantasy for 2 pianos & ensemble: Finale
16. Ma m�re l'oye, ballet for orchestra: No. 1, "Prelude et Danse du Rouet" (orchestra, new music)
17. Ma m�re l'oye, ballet for orchestra: No. 2, "Pavane de la Belle au Bois dormant"
18. Ma m�re l'oye, ballet for orchestra: No. 3, "Les entretiens de la Belle et de la Bete"
19. Ma m�re l'oye, ballet for orchestra: No. 4, "Petit Poucet"
20. Ma m�re l'oye, ballet for orchestra: No. 5, Laideronnette, Imperatrice des Pagodes"
21. Ma m�re l'oye, ballet for orchestra: No. 6, "Le Jardin feerique"
22. The Sorcerer's Apprentice (L'apprenti sorcier), symphonic scherzo for orchestra

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #78415 in Music
• Released on: 2000-08-15
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .19 pounds

Customer Reviews

Amusing narration
Johnny Morris sure wrote some amusing narration to go with Carnival - witty and poetic. I didn't like the way he sang along to 'Tortoises' though. The words are in time with the music, but I would have very much preferred to hear the music separately. The Slovak Radio Symphony does a good job of the music under Lenard, I think it is somewhat better than the rendition by the Scottish National Orchestra under Alexander Gibson, which was a little rushed, in my opinion. The other pieces are well-done too, I especially liked Sorcerer's Apprentice, which happens to be one of my favorites. Not the best, but pretty good. A must even if only for the narration. It is really, really funny, and guaranteed to make you laugh.

Laughter and Music in One Glorious Package
With so many recordings of the Carnival of Animals, here is a surprisingly unique gem for at least 2 reasons. First of all, the witticisms and nonsensical poetic passages are fun for both kids and adults. The famed children's host Johnny Morris gives this recording a truly special flavor, and his enthusiasm is so genuine it's infectious. Take, for instance, the lion piece; Johnny Morris actually imitates the roar of a lion. His singing during the Tortoise piece is trying at first -- but once you've listened to the recording a few times it just becomes added complexity - which for a piece as simple as the Carnival of Animals motifs is not a bad thing. Morris' voice is warm and lively throughout, but enough about him - what about the orchestra itself, you ask!

I can happily tell you that the Penguin Guide thinks that this orchestra is comparable to the Andre Previn interpretation, which is as good as it gets. The playing is unusually passionate and never rushed. They seem to play the music with such mindful precision and respect, you'd think they were performing a Beethoven symphony rather than classical music for kids. And that's the real beauty of this CD -- it would be perfect for a young newcomer to classical music, but even a die-hard connoisseur will listen to this with joy and feel like a kid at heart.