Family Concert: Carnival of the Animals

The afternoon centres on the descriptive possibilities of the orchestra, using varied textures to represent the natural world. You will hear the familiar movements of Saint-Saëns’ famous suite, where individual instruments mimic the movements of lions, tortoises, and fossils. In the strings, look out for the fluid, gliding melody representing a swan, while the double basses provide a heavier, lumbering character for the elephant. The sequence continues with contemporary pieces that broaden this theme, including a modern response to the original carnival focusing on endangered species and a well-known melody from a popular video game soundtrack. The inclusion of choral elements and shorter works by Boulanger and Chilcott ensures a varied pace. We suggest listening for how the brass and woodwinds are used to create specific animal calls, and how the percussion section provides the rhythmic energy for the more frantic sections of the musical menagerie.

The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra is the city’s flagship ensemble, resident at Symphony Hall and recognised internationally for its extensive discography and versatile programming. For this performance, the orchestra is led by the CBSO Assistant Conductor and joined by presenter Tom Redmond. The ensemble is known for its commitment to engaging local audiences of all ages, often balancing core symphonic repertoire with contemporary works and educational outreach. Redmond brings his experience in making orchestral music accessible, guiding you through the different instrumental voices that make up the ensemble.

This event takes place at Symphony Hall in Birmingham and has a total running time of approximately sixty minutes. Because there is no interval and the programme consists of shorter, descriptive pieces, it is particularly suited to families or those attending a classical concert for the first time. The atmosphere for these afternoon sessions is typically relaxed and informal. No specific dress code is required. As this is an orchestral performance rather than an opera, there are no surtitles or foreign language translations to follow, making the music the primary focus throughout.