Wild Things
Animals present us with alternative visions of ourselves. In them, we see where we came from and where our deepest instincts might be rooted. Throughout history, musicians have sought to imitate animals – to capture their free-spirited unpredictability, their extraordinary anatomy and their majestic power. Playlist curated by Andrew Mellor.
Read more…- Elgar • The Wand of Youth Suite No. 2 op. 1b • 6. The Wild BearsThe Wand of Youth Suite No. 2 op. 1b
6. The Wild BearsSir Charles Mackerras, Orchestra of Welsh National Opera℗ 1992 - Saint-Saëns • Le carnaval des animaux (The Carnival of the Animals) R 125 (Version for 2 Pianos and Orchestra) • 3. Hémiones. Animaux véloces (Wild Donkeys. Swift Animals)Le carnaval des animaux (The Carnival of the Animals) R 125 (Version for 2 Pianos and Orchestra)
3. Hémiones. Animaux véloces (Wild Donkeys. Swift Animals)Antonio Pappano (Piano), Martha Argerich (Piano), Antonio Pappano
Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia℗ 2007 - Poulenc • Les animaux modèles, Ballet FP 111a • 4. Le Lion amoreux. Passionnément animéLes animaux modèles, Ballet FP 111a
4. Le Lion amoreux. Passionnément animéJonathan Darlington, Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg1997, Luxembourg, Conservatoire de Musique - Arnold • Carnival of Animals op. 72 (1960) • 5. Jumbo. AndanteCarnival of Animals op. 72 (1960)
5. Jumbo. AndanteVernon Handley, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra℗ 1998 - Mussorgsky • Pictures at an Exhibition (Version for Orchestra by M. Ravel) • IV. BydłoPictures at an Exhibition (Version for Orchestra by M. Ravel)
IV. BydłoMariss Jansons, Oslo Philharmonic℗ 1989 - Britten • Four Sea Interludes from 'Peter Grimes' op. 33a (1945) • 4. Storm. Presto con fuoco - Largamente - Tempo I - Molto animato - EnergicoFour Sea Interludes from 'Peter Grimes' op. 33a (1945)
4. Storm. Presto con fuoco - Largamente - Tempo I - Molto animato - EnergicoCarlos Kalmar, Oregon Symphony2012, Portland, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall - Leighton • Animal Heaven op. 83 (1980) • 2. The Heaven of AnimalsAnimal Heaven op. 83 (1980)
2. The Heaven of AnimalsAlison Wells (Soprano), John Turner (Recorder), Keith Elcombe (Fortepiano), Jonathan Price (Violoncello)September 1999, Edinburgh, Reid Concert Hall - Tavener • The TygerThe TygerChristopher Robinson, Choir Of St. John's College, CambridgeJuly 2000, Cambridge, St John's College Chapel
- Dun • Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Original Film Score (2000) • 1. Crouching Tiger, Hidden DragonCrouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Original Film Score (2000)
1. Crouching Tiger, Hidden DragonYo-Yo Ma (Violoncello), CoCo Lee (Voice), Wendy Pedersen (Voice), Tommy Anthony (Voice), Dan Warner (Guitar), Julio Hernández (Bass Guitar), Tan Dun
Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, Shanghai National Orchestra℗ 2000 - Schoenfield • Four Parables for Piano and Orchestra (1983) • 4. Dog's HeavenFour Parables for Piano and Orchestra (1983)
4. Dog's HeavenAndreas Boyde (Piano), Jonathan Nott
Dresdner Philharmonie - Dvořák • Furiant for Piano in G minor op. 12/2 B 137 • VivaceFuriant for Piano in G minor op. 12/2 B 137
VivaceStefan Veselka (Piano)February 1995, Oslo, Sonia-Henie Art Centre & Sofienberg Church - Haydn • The Seasons (Die Jahreszeiten) Hob. XXI:3 (in English) • Autumn • No. 16b Chorus 'Hark, hear the sounds of the chase' (Chorus)The Seasons (Die Jahreszeiten) Hob. XXI:3 (in English)
Autumn • No. 16b Chorus 'Hark, hear the sounds of the chase' (Chorus)Carolyn Sampson (Soprano), Jeremy Ovenden (Tenor), Andrew Foster-Williams (Bass-baritone), Paul McCreesh
Wrocław Baroque Orchestra, Gabrieli Consort & Players, National Forum of Music Choir, Gabrieli ConsortJune 2016, Wrocław, National Forum of Music - Telemann • Ouverture-Suite for 4 Horns, 2 Oboes, 2 Violins and Basso continuo in F major TWV 55:F11 “Alster” • VII. Die concertierenden Frösche und KrähenOuverture-Suite for 4 Horns, 2 Oboes, 2 Violins and Basso continuo in F major TWV 55:F11
VII. Die concertierenden Frösche und KrähenHans-Martin Linde, Cappella Coloniensis1985 - 1986, Lindlar, Kulturzentrum Lindlar - Roussel • Le festin de l'araignée, Ballet pantomime op. 17 (1912-1913) • 2. LentLe festin de l'araignée, Ballet pantomime op. 17 (1912-1913)
2. LentErnest Ansermet, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande1954, Geneva, Victoria Hall - Rózsa • The Jungle Book, Suite (1942) • 6. Cries of the Animals. Non troppo allegro – Allegro agitato – Più mossoThe Jungle Book, Suite (1942)
6. Cries of the Animals. Non troppo allegro – Allegro agitato – Più mossoRumon Gamba, BBC PhilharmonicJuly 2013, Salford, MediaCity UK - Sibelius • The Oceanides, Symphonic Poem op. 73The Oceanides, Symphonic Poem op. 73Paavo Berglund, Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra℗ 1988
- Mussorgsky • Noch' na lysoi gore (Night on the Bare Mountain) (Arr. N. Rimsky-Korsakov) • Allegro feroceNoch' na lysoi gore (Night on the Bare Mountain) (Arr. N. Rimsky-Korsakov)
Allegro feroceIgor Markevitch, Gewandhausorchester Leipzig℗ 2017 - Dvořák • Symphony No. 8 in G major op. 88 B 163 • IV. Allegro ma non troppoSymphony No. 8 in G major op. 88 B 163
IV. Allegro ma non troppoAndrés Orozco-Estrada, Houston Symphony2015, Houston, Jesse H. Jones Hall - Stravinsky • L'Oiseau de feu (The Firebird), Suite (1919) • 5. FinaleL'Oiseau de feu (The Firebird), Suite (1919)
5. FinaleAndrés Orozco-Estrada, hr-Sinfonieorchester2015, Frankfurt, Alte Oper Frankfurt - Messiaen • Le Merle noir (The Blackbird) for Flute and Piano (1951) • Le Merle noirLe Merle noir (The Blackbird) for Flute and Piano (1951)
Le Merle noirEmmanuel Pahud (Flute), Éric Le Sage (Piano)℗ 1997 - Grieg • Lyric Pieces for Piano (Book 3) op. 43 • 1. Sommerfugl (Butterfly)Lyric Pieces for Piano (Book 3) op. 43
1. Sommerfugl (Butterfly)Javier Perianes (Piano)June 2014, Berlin, Teldex Studio - Rautavaara • Cantus articus op. 61 “Concerto for Birds and Orchestra” • I. Suo (The Bog)Cantus articus op. 61
I. Suo (The Bog)Leif Segerstam, Helsinki Philharmonic OrchestraNovember 2004, Helsinki, Finlandia Hall, Helsinki - Rautavaara • Cantus articus op. 61 “Concerto for Birds and Orchestra” • II. Melankolia (Melancholy)Cantus articus op. 61
II. Melankolia (Melancholy)Leif Segerstam, Helsinki Philharmonic OrchestraNovember 2004, Helsinki, Finlandia Hall, Helsinki - Rautavaara • Cantus articus op. 61 “Concerto for Birds and Orchestra” • III. Joutsenet muuttava (Swans Migrating)Cantus articus op. 61
III. Joutsenet muuttava (Swans Migrating)Leif Segerstam, Helsinki Philharmonic OrchestraNovember 2004, Helsinki, Finlandia Hall, Helsinki - Scarlatti • Sonata for Keyboard in G minor K 30 • Fuga. ModeratoSonata for Keyboard in G minor K 30
Fuga. ModeratoElina Mustonen (Harpsichord)April 2005, Finland, Karjaa Church - Vivaldi • Concerto for Flute, Strings and Basso continuo in D major op. 10/3 RV 428 “Il Gardellino” • I. AllegroConcerto for Flute, Strings and Basso continuo in D major op. 10/3 RV 428
I. AllegroLa Folia Barockorchester, The Gentleman's Band
Stefan Temmingh (Recorder)℗ 2015 - Vivaldi • Concerto for Flute, Strings and Basso continuo in D major op. 10/3 RV 428 “Il Gardellino” • II. (Cantabile)Concerto for Flute, Strings and Basso continuo in D major op. 10/3 RV 428
II. (Cantabile)La Folia Barockorchester, The Gentleman's Band
Stefan Temmingh (Recorder)℗ 2015 - Vivaldi • Concerto for Flute, Strings and Basso continuo in D major op. 10/3 RV 428 “Il Gardellino” • III. AllegroConcerto for Flute, Strings and Basso continuo in D major op. 10/3 RV 428
III. AllegroLa Folia Barockorchester, The Gentleman's Band
Stefan Temmingh (Recorder)℗ 2015 - Wagner • Siegfried WWV 86C • Act II • 4. Ha ha! Da hätte mein Lied mir was Schönes erblasen (Siegfried, Fafner)Siegfried WWV 86C
Act II • 4. Ha ha! Da hätte mein Lied mir was Schönes erblasen (Siegfried, Fafner)Matthias Goerne (Bass-baritone), Heidi Melton (Soprano), Simon O'Neill (Tenor), David Cangelosi (Tenor), Werner van Mechelen (Bass-baritone), Falk Struckmann (Bass-baritone), Deborah Humble (Mezzo-soprano), Valentina Farcas (Soprano), Jaap van Zweden
Hong Kong Philharmonic OrchestraJanuary 2017, Hong Kong, Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall - Fairbank • Animal Songs (1999) • 2. The YakAnimal Songs (1999)
2. The YakKerry-Anne Kutz (Soprano), Nicholas Fairbank (Piano)℗ 2013 - Nørgård • Animals in Concert (1984/1989/1997) • 1. A Tortoise's TangoAnimals in Concert (1984/1989/1997)
1. A Tortoise's TangoErik Kaltoft (Piano)2008, Odense, Carl Nielsen Academy of Music Odense - Brahms • Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor op. 25 • IV. Rondo alla zingarese. PrestoPiano Quartet No. 1 in G minor op. 25
IV. Rondo alla zingarese. PrestoIsaac Stern (Violin), Emanuel Ax (Piano), Jaime Laredo (Viola), Yo-Yo Ma (Violoncello)℗ 1990 - Vaughan Williams • Orchestral suite from The Wasps (1909) • 1. OvertureOrchestral suite from The Wasps (1909)
1. OvertureVernon Handley, London Philharmonic OrchestraNovember 1983, London, All Saints' Church, Tooting - Janáček • Příhody lišky Bystroušky (The Cunning Little Vixen), Suite for Orchestra JW I/9 • 1. AndantePříhody lišky Bystroušky (The Cunning Little Vixen), Suite for Orchestra JW I/9
1. AndanteJiří Bělohlávek, Czech PhilharmonicFebruary 1991, Prague, Spanish Hall, Prague Castle - Janáček • Příhody lišky Bystroušky (The Cunning Little Vixen), Suite for Orchestra JW I/9 • 2. AndantePříhody lišky Bystroušky (The Cunning Little Vixen), Suite for Orchestra JW I/9
2. AndanteJiří Bělohlávek, Czech PhilharmonicFebruary 1991, Prague, Spanish Hall, Prague Castle - Williams • 'Sleeping Dog' for Guitar • Sleeping Dog'Sleeping Dog' for Guitar
Sleeping DogJohn Christopher Williams (Guitar)January 2017
This playlist contains some known and loved examples of composers filling their works with animal characteristics– from the tiny birds beloved of Messiaen to the lumbering cattle of Mussorgsky's 'Bydlo'. We hear from tigers, elephants, frogs and crows, no less than three cats, as well as mythical dragons and firebirds. In between, we sample another vital aspect of nature in music that goes hand in hand with these beasts: musical visions of wild weather and furious, animalistic dances.