Let's Go to the Carnival

Carnivals are a celebration of culture and community. Join host Liz Lyon as we share some classical music inspired by carnivals from around the world.Episode 99 playlistCamille Saint-Saëns: Carnival of the Animals — The Carnival of the Animals is a comedic musical suite. It contains 14 movements that introduce a variety of animals including lions, hens and roosters, wild donkeys, tortoises, an elephant, kangaroos, sea animals, long-eared animals, and birds. Which animals does this piece make you think of?LISTEN — Camille Saint-Saëns: Carnival of the AnimalsAry Barroso: Aquarela do Brasil — This is one of the most popular Brazilian songs of all time. Barroso wrote "Aquarela do Brasil" when he couldn’t leave his home one rainy night because of a heavy storm. Sambas like this one are played with big-band instruments during the Rio Carnival Parade, where students from samba schools show off their dance skills. This version is performed by Voyager.LISTEN — Ary Barroso: Aquarela do BrasilArturo Marquez: Conga del Fuego Nuevo — In Cuba, the conga dance often is used in big festivals and is seen during parades. This piece is performed by the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra.LISTEN — Arturo Marquez: Conga del Fuego NuevoEllen Taaffe Zwilich: Peanuts Gallery - Snoopy Does the Samba — Peanuts Gallery is a piano concerto by American composer Ellen Taaffe Zwilich, inspired by the characters of the Peanuts comic strip. Can you imagine a dog named Snoopy doing a samba dance?LISTEN — Ellen Taaffe Zwilich: Peanuts Gallery, Snoopy Does the SambaAntonin Dvořák: Carnival Overture — Composer Antonin Dvorak wrote a piece to put right in the middle of a crowd at a carnival in Europe. He tried to capture all the different scenes such as people dancing, eating food and singing.LISTEN — Antonin Dvořák: Carnival OvertureYou can now search and listen to YourClassical Adventures where podcasts are found.Explore more from YourClassical Adventures!What are you curious about?Tell us what you thinkYou must be 13 or older to submit any information to American Public Media/Minnesota Public Radio. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about things like our programs, products and services. See Terms of Use and Privacy.