Carnival of the animals

"The Carnival of the Animals" is a musical suite composed by Camille Saint-Saëns in 1886. This piece, also known by its French title "Le Carnaval des animaux," is one of Saint-Saëns' most famous works, although he considered it a playful piece and initially did not intend for it to be published in its entirety during his lifetime. The suite consists of fourteen movements, each representing different animals or groups of animals, often with a humorous twist.

### Key Movements and Characteristics

- **Introduction and Royal March of the Lion**: The piece opens with a majestic theme, setting the tone for a whimsical parade of animals.

- **Hens and Roosters**: This movement uses staccato notes and clucking sounds to mimic chickens.

- **Wild Donkeys**: Featuring rapid, high-paced notes to evoke the frantic movement of donkeys.

- **Tortoises**: A humorous take on the famous "Galop Infernal" from Offenbach’s "Orpheus in the Underworld," played at an incredibly slow tempo to depict the slow-moving tortoises.

- **The Elephant**: A double bass solo that includes a parody of Berlioz's "Dance of the Sylphs," representing the heavy, plodding elephant.

- **Kangaroos**: Bouncing piano notes evoke the hopping of kangaroos.

- **Aquarium**: Known for its serene and flowing melody, featuring the flute, strings, and glass harmonica (often replaced by a glockenspiel in performances).

- **People with Long Ears**: Violins play shrill, alternating notes to mimic the braying of donkeys, humorously thought to represent music critics.

- **The Cuckoo in the Depths of the Woods**: An offstage clarinet repeats a simple C-A flat motif to imitate the call of a cuckoo.

- **Aviary**: Fast, fluttering notes on the flute represent the lively movements of birds.

- **Pianists**: A parody of piano students practicing scales poorly.

- **Fossils**: Uses the xylophone to mimic the sound of rattling bones, quoting the composer’s own "Danse Macabre" and other musical pieces.

- **The Swan**: The most famous movement, featuring a beautiful cello solo accompanied by two pianos, symbolizing a swan gliding gracefully over water.

- **Finale**: A lively and jubilant conclusion, recapping themes from earlier movements.

### Frequently Mentioned Clues

1. **Fossils**:

   - Xylophones represent rattling bones.

   - Quotes Camille Saint-Saëns' "Danse Macabre."

2. **The Swan**:

   - Cello solo representing a swan gliding over water.

   - The only movement the composer allowed to be performed publicly during his lifetime.

3. **Introduction and Royal March of the Lion**:

   - Majestic theme setting the whimsical tone for the suite.

4. **People with Long Ears**:

   - Violins play shrill, alternating notes to mimic the braying of donkeys.

5. **Aquarium**:

   - Features serene and flowing melodies, often with a glass harmonica.

6. **Pianists**:

   - Two pianists play scales deliberately out of sync to parody music students.

7. **The Elephant**:

   - Double bass solo includes a parody of Berlioz's "Dance of the Sylphs."

### Related Quizbowl Facts That Appeared In More Than One Toss-up

1. The "___1___" movement uses xylophones to mimic rattling bones, quoting "Danse Macabre."

2. The most famous movement, "___2___," is a cello solo depicting the title bird gliding over water.

3. The suite opens with the "Introduction and Royal March of the ___3___," setting the whimsical tone.

4. The "___4___" movement features violins mimicking the braying of donkeys.

5. The serene and flowing melodies of "___5___" often feature a glass harmonica.

6. The "___6___" movement parodies piano students practicing scales.

7. The "___7___" movement includes a double bass parody of Berlioz's "Dance of the Sylphs."

1. Fossils

2. Swan

3. Lion

4. People with Long Ears

5. Aquarium

6. Pianists

7. Elephant

Here are the recurring clues, references, and plot lines in the questions about "The Carnival of the Animals," along with their frequency count:

1. **"The Swan"** - 21 occurrences

2. **"Fossils"** - 19 occurrences

3. **Danse Macabre** - 17 occurrences

4. **Berlioz's "Dance of the Sylphs"** - 13 occurrences

5. **Offenbach's "Galop infernal"** or "Can-Can" from Orpheus in the Underworld - 12 occurrences

6. **Glass harmonica (replaced by glockenspiel)** - 11 occurrences

7. **"Pianists" (imitating beginners practicing scales)** - 10 occurrences

8. **Ogden Nash poems** - 7 occurrences

9. **"People with Long Ears"** - 6 occurrences

10. **Offstage clarinet playing C-A flat motif** - 6 occurrences

11. **Violins playing high E alternating with descending seconds** - 5 occurrences

12. **Introduction and Royal March** - 4 occurrences

13. **Anna Pavlova (choreographed "The Swan")** - 4 occurrences

14. **Aquarium** - 4 occurrences

15. **"Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" quotation** - 3 occurrences

16. **Strings imitating braying of a donkey** - 3 occurrences

- **"The Swan"**: One of the most famous movements from the suite, featuring a beautiful cello solo that represents the elegance of a swan gliding on water.

- **"Fossils"**: A movement that uses xylophone to mimic the sound of skeletons and includes quotes from other pieces, emphasizing the playful, pastiche nature of the suite.

- **Danse Macabre**: Another work by Saint-Saëns, often associated with "Fossils" due to its similar xylophone use and themes of death and the supernatural.

- **Berlioz's "Dance of the Sylphs"**: Referenced in discussions of "Fossils" as Saint-Saëns quotes this piece within the movement, blending different composers' works.

- **Offenbach's "Galop infernal" (Can-Can)**: Another quotation found in "Fossils," adding to the humor by incorporating a lively, well-known melody.

- **Glass harmonica (replaced by glockenspiel)**: Originally intended for the suite but replaced by the glockenspiel, which contributes to the whimsical sound, particularly in the "Aquarium" movement.

- **"Pianists" (imitating beginners practicing scales)**: A humorous movement mocking young piano students, highlighting Saint-Saëns' playful approach.

- **Ogden Nash poems**: Added to the suite in modern performances, Nash's witty verses introduce each movement, enhancing the entertainment value.

- **"People with Long Ears"**: Represents donkeys through comically braying violins, showcasing Saint-Saëns' sense of humor.

- **Offstage clarinet playing C-A flat motif**: Used in the suite to create a spatial effect, particularly noticeable in movements like "The Cuckoo in the Depths of the Woods."

- **Violins playing high E alternating with descending seconds**: Describes the specific technique used to imitate certain animal sounds, such as birds in "Aviary."

- **Introduction and Royal March**: The opening movement setting a grand, mock-serious tone for the suite.

- **Anna Pavlova (choreographed "The Swan")**: The famous ballerina choreographed a dance to "The Swan," further popularizing the movement.

- **Aquarium**: A movement depicting an underwater scene with shimmering, flowing music, often associated with the glass harmonica sound.

- **"Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" quotation**: Referenced in the "Fossils" movement, adding to the playful, allusive nature of the piece.

- **Strings imitating braying of a donkey**: Another instance of Saint-Saëns using musical humor to depict animals, specifically in the "People with Long Ears" movement.

These elements demonstrate Saint-Saëns' creativity, humor, and skill in blending different musical styles and references to create a delightful and enduring work.