Written in 1886 for an annual Mardi Gras concert, The Carnival Of The Animals consists of 14 pieces scored for flute/piccolo, clarinet, glass harmonica (tuned glass bowls), xylophone, 2 pianos and strings. Each piece embodies a zoological motif, painting a musical picture of - among others - a lion, chickens, turtles, an elephant, kangaroos and the immensely popular swan, In his joyful musical romp, the composer borrows from well-known classical works, including references to Berlioz and Mendelssohn in 'The Elephant' and passages of his own