Saint-Saens Carnival of the Animals / Bizet L'Arlesienne Suites

Description

This volume of the Naxos Musical Journey takes you on a wondrous tour of France and Switzerland. From majestic ancient amphitheaters and ruins to magnificent churches; see the haunting woodlands outside Zurich or marvel at the dramatic landscapes of Les Alpilles; delight in the animals of Knie's Children's Zoo or come face to face with lions at the African Reserve of Sigean. Bizet and Saint-Saens' music springs to life with this amazing visual experience rich in wonder, humor and imagination. Tracks: Saint-Saens: Carnival of the Animals (Marian Lapsansky & Peter Toperczer, piano, Czechslovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, Ondrej Lenard, Conductor), Bizet: L'Arlesienne Suites No. 1 & 2 (Sovak Philharmonic Orchestra, Anthony Bramall, conductor).

Customer Reviews:

What drivel.......2007-07-01

I have wasted my money on this amateurish DVD. The Carnival is static and boring - and that's being as positive as possible - no regal Royal March here, only tired lions sitting down in the dust one after the other; the Hens and Cockerals certainly don't stretch and cackle or lay an egg as the music so beautifully suggests; the kangaroos are in fact wallabies; the fossils are photos of composers (Schubert, Mozart, Beethoven) and as such are grossly insulting. And the opportunity to show excitement of the duo pianists playing is completely missed, instead showing just an open piano on a vacant stage and empty theatre seats. All in all, very lazy photography. Not a redeeming visual moment on the entire disk, I'm afraid. And the Bizet is worse! Save your money and avoid this one.

animal videos not inspiring.......2007-06-11

For Carnival of the Animals, videos were filmed at zoos or nature parks, general shots. Seems they could have bought stock nature footage. The music has a lot of personality to each animal, or fossil, and they missed the mark on timing movements and music. Could have been very amusing. My elderly mother enjoyed it however.

Captivating "Carnival".......2006-11-10

My 3 year old grandson calls this one "Animal Planick," and he loves to watch the beautiful scenes with lions, elephants, tortoises, etc. This video is a wonderful way to share Saint-Saens' and Bizet's beautiful music with children. I enjoy it too!

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