Carnival of the Animals: From the Life of a Fantasy
Camille Saint-Saëns’ life story, narrated from an unexpected perspective: the composition itself.
Shooting for an extraordinary documentary about Saint-Saëns’ most popular work is in full swing. For the 100th anniversary of his death, we let the musical collection of caricatures speak – and sound – for itself.
For the biographical-musical references, we filmed with the Venezuelan pianist Gabriela Montero in Barcelona, in the impressive Palau de la Música. The shooting of the orchestral parts took place in Berlin, at the Delphi Theatre. For two days, professional young musicians were filmed from all possible and impossible perspectives.
It is his most famous composition. But Camille Saint-Saëns objected to its publication. We shed light on the evolution of the “Carnival”, from its painful, swift birth measure of the “great zoological phantasy” in the composer’s mind to the satirical musical jabs against his famous colleagues. At all times, the piece is threatened by its everlasting fear to die an early death inside its makers’ drawer after going through a hapless one-time-performance. The piece itself tells us its tale of woe until it finally conquers the great stages of the music world.
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/393384732
Password: si2020
Duration 52'
Production year 2020
Coproduction Company WDR/ARTE
Coproducer Christian Nurtsch-Wesener
Director Holger Preuße
Producer Claus Wischmann
Distribution TV C Major Entertainment
YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED IN...

Classical:NEXT 2021 – Call for Proposals is now open!
Classical:NEXT
The deadline to submit a proposal is midnight (CEST) on Friday, 16 October 2020.

The Last Dance – A Portrait of Oleg Karavaichuk
Poorhouse International
Poorhouse is proud to present a profile of the composer, pianist and philosopher who had important things to say albeit wrapped up in an extravagant way.

Czech Philharmonic Opening Concert
EuroArts Music International
Live from the Rudolfinum in Prague: Semyon Bychkov conducts Shostakovich and Dvořák — With Daniil Trifonov and Selina Ott.

Ghost Light – A Ballet in the Time of Corona
EuroArts Music International
A single lamp on a metal post is switched on and placed center stage signifying that no artist is allowed to use the stage...







