Embark on a captivating musical journey with the Kanneh-Masons, a remarkably talented family ensemble, as they present their album "Carnival." Released on November 6, 2020, under Decca Music Group Ltd., this album is a delightful fusion of classical masterpieces and heartwarming narrations, spanning a duration of 1 hour and 4 minutes.
The album opens with a lively rendition of Camille Saint-Saëns' "Carnival of the Animals," a suite that showcases the family's exceptional musical prowess. Each movement is introduced by a charming narration, bringing the whimsical animal characters to life. From the majestic "Royal March of the Lion" to the graceful "Swan," the Kanneh-Masons' performances are both technically impressive and deeply expressive.
Following the "Carnival of the Animals," the album transitions into a festive mood with "Grandpa Christmas," a series of narrated pieces that evoke the warmth and joy of the holiday season. The Kanneh-Masons' arrangements of classical favorites, such as Tchaikovsky's "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" and Rimsky-Korsakov's "The Flight of the Bumble-Bee," are interspersed with heartfelt narrations that add a personal touch to the music.
The album concludes with a poignant arrangement of Bob Marley's "Redemption Song," arranged by Sheku Kanneh-Mason himself. This powerful piece serves as a reminder of the universal language of music and its ability to bring people together.
Throughout the album, the Kanneh-Masons demonstrate an incredible range of musical styles and emotions, from the playful and energetic to the tender and introspective. Their performances are marked by a deep understanding of the music and a genuine love for sharing it with others. "Carnival" is not just a collection of songs, but a testament to the power of music to connect, inspire, and uplift.
Preamble - NarrationCamille Saint-Saëns, Michael Morpurgo, Isata Kanneh-Mason, Jeneba Kanneh-Mason, Braimah Kanneh-Mason, Konya Kanneh-Mason, Aminata Kanneh-Mason, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Mariatu Kanneh-Mason
Introduction and Royal March of the Lion - NarrationMichael Morpurgo
Carnival of the Animals: Introduction and Royal March of the LionCamille Saint-Saëns, Isata Kanneh-Mason, Jeneba Kanneh-Mason, Braimah Kanneh-Mason, Ayla Sahin, Timothy Ridout, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Toby Hughes
Hens and Roosters - NarrationOlivia Colman
Carnival of the Animals: Hens and RoostersCamille Saint-Saëns, Isata Kanneh-Mason, Jeneba Kanneh-Mason, Braimah Kanneh-Mason, Ayla Sahin, Timothy Ridout, Mark Simpson
Wild Donkeys Swift Animals (or Make What You Like of That) - NarrationMichael Morpurgo
Carnival of the Animals: Wild Donkeys Swift AnimalsCamille Saint-Saëns, Isata Kanneh-Mason, Jeneba Kanneh-Mason
Tortoises - NarrationOlivia Colman
Carnival of the Animals: TortoisesCamille Saint-Saëns, Isata Kanneh-Mason, Braimah Kanneh-Mason, Ayla Sahin, Timothy Ridout, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Toby Hughes
The Elephant - NarrationOlivia Colman
Carnival of the Animals: The ElephantCamille Saint-Saëns, Konya Kanneh-Mason, Toby Hughes
Kangaroos - NarrationMichael Morpurgo
Carnival of the Animals: KangaroosCamille Saint-Saëns, Isata Kanneh-Mason, Konya Kanneh-Mason
Aquarium (or I Have a Friend) - NarrationOlivia Colman
Carnival of the Animals: AquariumCamille Saint-Saëns, Isata Kanneh-Mason, Konya Kanneh-Mason, Braimah Kanneh-Mason, Ayla Sahin, Timothy Ridout, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Adam Walker, Alasdair Malloy
Characters with Long Ears - NarrationOlivia Colman
Carnival of the Animals: Characters with Long EarsCamille Saint-Saëns, Braimah Kanneh-Mason, Ayla Sahin
The Cuckoo in the Depths of the Woods - NarrationOlivia Colman, Mark Simpson
Carnival of the Animals: The Cuckoo in the Depths of the WoodsCamille Saint-Saëns, Isata Kanneh-Mason, Jeneba Kanneh-Mason, Mark Simpson
Aviary - NarrationMichael Morpurgo
Carnival of the Animals: AviaryCamille Saint-Saëns, Isata Kanneh-Mason, Jeneba Kanneh-Mason, Braimah Kanneh-Mason, Ayla Sahin, Timothy Ridout, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Toby Hughes, Adam Walker
Pianists (or Who Sings Best in the Bath) - NarrationMichael Morpurgo, Olivia Colman
Carnival of the Animals: PianistsCamille Saint-Saëns, Isata Kanneh-Mason, Konya Kanneh-Mason, Braimah Kanneh-Mason, Ayla Sahin, Timothy Ridout, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Toby Hughes
Fossils (or Doing the Brontosaurus) - NarrationMichael Morpurgo
Carnival of the Animals: FossilsCamille Saint-Saëns, Isata Kanneh-Mason, Jeneba Kanneh-Mason, Braimah Kanneh-Mason, Ayla Sahin, Timothy Ridout, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Toby Hughes, Mark Simpson, Adrian Spillett
The Swan - NarrationOlivia Colman
Carnival of the Animals: The SwanCamille Saint-Saëns, Isata Kanneh-Mason, Jeneba Kanneh-Mason, Sheku Kanneh-Mason
Finale - NarrationMichael Morpurgo, Olivia Colman
Carnival of the Animals: FinaleCamille Saint-Saëns, Isata Kanneh-Mason, Konya Kanneh-Mason, Braimah Kanneh-Mason, Ayla Sahin, Timothy Ridout, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Toby Hughes, Adam Walker, Mark Simpson, Adrian Spillett, Alasdair Malloy
The Nutcracker (Suite), Op. 71a: Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy (Arr. Langer)Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Konya Kanneh-Mason, Jeneba Kanneh-Mason
Grandpa Christmas: Every Year at Christmas... - NarrationMariatu Kanneh-Mason
44 Duos for Two Violins, Sz. 98: Maypole DanceBéla Bartók, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Mariatu Kanneh-Mason
Grandpa Christmas: To My Little Granddaughter Mia… - NarrationMichael Morpurgo
44 Duos for Two Violins, Sz. 98: Mosquito DanceBéla Bartók, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Aminata Kanneh-Mason
Grandpa Christmas: I Sat There Watching You... - NarrationMichael Morpurgo
Lyric Pieces, Op. 43: No. 4, Little BirdEdvard Grieg, Konya Kanneh-Mason
Grandpa Christmas: Just to See You Digging There... - NarrationMichael Morpurgo
The Flight of the Bumble-Bee (Arr. Rachmaninov)Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Isata Kanneh-Mason
Grandpa Christmas: If I Have Learnt One Thing... - NarrationMichael Morpurgo