In both 1.) and 2.), part of the music is about the performing showing off great technique and a bit of humor. At the same time, a composer has to be wildly creative to paint a portrait of a flying insect using music. What does Rimsky-Korsakov do to portray his version of the bumblebee? What’s the story? What’s the atmosphere?
3.) “Carnival of the Animals” by Camille Saint-Saens.
First, read the description of the piece in the information below the video. There are 14 movements in this work. Listen to the entire work. Pick three movements are the most effective in portraying the animals? Why? Discuss the various elements of the music that make it effective using concepts like tempo, instrumentation, rhythm, texture, color, register, pitch, dissonance, etc. You’re welcome to compare this music with other kinds of music that you’re familiar with that conjures up similar feelings/images.
Movement 1:
Movement 2:
Movement 3:
