Aquarium

I was about 7 or 8 when I discovered what is to me a masterwork of genius: Camille Saint-Saens´s Carnival of the Animals.

I studied elementary in an American school in Perú since my mother worked there at the time… and actually, she still does!

As a teacher, she could take a Betamax and/or VHS tape back home every weekend, and she used to take out some amazing children's films and documentaries that I´ve still got in my mind to this day.

One of these videos was a theatricalization (complicated word!) of the Carnival of the Animals, set in a real zoo with real animals and people, and of course, real musicians performing. I fell in love with this video and the music so much that I recorded it on a tape with a microphone, straight from the tv speakers. I put this tape to play every night when I went to sleep.

This work is often (and rightly so) used to introduce classical music to children (parents take note) and it works wonders.

My favorite movement from the set undoubtedly was (and still is) the Aquarium.

Oh was an amaaaazing picture and atmosphere this piece paints… it´s otherworldly!

I´ve just put it on the top of my Classical playlist which you can listen to right here.

Yesterday was Saint-Saëns´s 189th birth anniversary.

Enjoy, and have a great day!

Claudio.