Carnival of the Animals

Performers: Lithuanian chamber orchestra (Artistic Director and Conductor Sergej Krylov) Soloists: LUKAS GEDVILAS (piano) NERINGA VALUNTONYTĖ (piano) Conductor MODESTAS BARKAUSKAS Concert host JOMANTĖ ŠLEŽAITĖ-PAUKŠTĖ

Program: Camille Saint-Saëns' fantasy "The Carnival of the Animals" for two pianos and orchestra

French composer Camille Saint-Saëns' fantasy "The Carnival of the Animals" is a programmatic suite of fourteen movements, bursting with humor and full of vivid genre sketches.

The composer created it in 1886 as a joke for a concert of fellow performers to be held during Shrove Tuesday. Later, Saint-Saëns forbade the printing and public performance of this occasional work, not wanting to be labeled a creator of "frivolous" music. He did not forbid the only piece, "The Swan," which immediately became popular. The entire "Carnival of the Animals" was performed only in private spaces until the composer's death in 1921.

In the short "Introduction and Royal March of the Lion" played by the pianos, an exotic theme imitates the roar of a lion. "Hens and Roosters" are very realistic, followed by "Wild Donkeys" jumping incredibly fast, contrasting with the clumsy "Tortoises," whose can-can is played at the slowest possible tempo. The "Elephant" is introduced by a witty double bass, clumsily playing a graceful and subtle melody from Hector Berlioz's "Dance of the Sylphs." The pianos imitate the capricious jumps of "Kangaroos," followed by the appearance of the "Aquarium." "Characters with Long Ears" – critics – are described by shrill whistles and donkey brays. The pianos and clarinet depict the "Cuckoo," while the flute creates the image of the entire "Aviary." "Pianists," whom you usually won't see in a zoo, practice scales with emphatic accents. The "Fossils" that follow create an image of antiquity. Listening to the "Swan" played by the cello, we imagine a ballerina in our minds. The fantasy ends with a summarizing finale.