In the realm of classical music, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "Zzzz. Carnival of the Insects - A Symphony for Life" stands as a unique and captivating exploration of nature's tiniest creatures. Set to release on June 12, 2025, under Warner Classics, this album is a vibrant tapestry of compositions that span various genres, including classical, opera, classical piano, and chamber music.
With a duration of 1 hour and 48 minutes, the album is a meticulously curated collection of pieces that evoke the intricate and often overlooked world of insects. From the delicate flutter of butterflies to the industrious hum of bees, each track is a testament to Mozart's enduring influence and the timeless appeal of classical music.
The tracklist is a diverse array of compositions, featuring works by renowned composers such as Chopin, Schubert, and Ravel, alongside lesser-known gems. Highlights include "Butterfly" from Grieg's Lyric Pieces, the energetic "Flight of the Bumblebee" by Rimsky-Korsakov, and the enchanting "Where the Bee Sucks" from Purcell's Dioclesian. The album also includes pieces inspired by the fables of La Fontaine, adding a literary dimension to the musical experience.
Mozart's "Zzzz. Carnival of the Insects" is not just an album; it's a celebration of life in all its forms. The compositions are a symphony of sounds that bring to life the beauty and complexity of the insect world. Whether you're a seasoned classical music enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, this album offers a rich and rewarding listening experience. Prepare to be immersed in a world where music and nature intertwine, creating a harmonious and unforgettable symphony.
Grieg: Lyric Pieces, Book 3, Op. 43: No. 1, ButterflyEdvard Grieg, Leif Ove Andsnes
Rimsky-Korsakov: The Tale of Tsar Saltan, Act 3: The Flight of the BumblebeeNikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Kurt Masur, New York Philharmonic
Berlioz: 8 Scènes de Faust, Op. 1, H 33: No. 5, Chanson de Méphistophélès "Histoire d'une puce"Hector Berlioz, Yutaka Sado, Choeur de Radio France, Jean-Paul Fouchécourt, Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France
Chopin: 12 Études, Op. 25: No. 9 in G-Flat Major "Butterfly"Frédéric Chopin, Maurizio Pollini
Lyadov: 8 Russian Folksongs, Op. 58: No. 4, Humorous Song "I Danced with a Mosquito"Anatoly Lyadov, Andreyev Imperial Russian Orchestra, Dmitri Hochlov
Prokofiev: Cinderella, Op. 87, Act 1: No. 14, Grasshoppers and DragonfliesSergei Prokofiev, André Previn, London Symphony Orchestra
Trenet: La cigale et la fourmiCharles Trenet, Francois Le Roux, Jeff Cohen
Bartók: Mikrokosmos, Sz. 107, Book VI: No. 142, From the Diary of a FlyBéla Bartók, Thierry De Brunhoff
Tippet: Songs for Ariel: No. 3, Where the Bee SucksSir Michael Tippett, Ian Bostridge, Antonio Pappano
Schubert: Der Schmetterling, Op. 57 No. 1, D. 633Franz Schubert, Lucia Popp, Irwin Gage
Barrios Mangoré: Las abejasAgustín Barrios Mangoré, Thibaut García
Couperin: Second livre de pièces de clavecin, Sixième ordre: VIII. Le moucheronFrançois Couperin, Olivier Baumont
Schumann: Liederalbum für die Jugend, Op. 79: No. 14, MarienwürmchenRobert Schumann, Peter Schreier, Christoph Eschenbach
Vaughan Williams: The Wasps, an Aristophanic Suite: II. EntracteRalph Vaughan Williams, Vernon Handley, London Philharmonic Orchestra
Arne: Where the Bee Sucks (From Shakespeare's "The Tempest")Thomas Arne, Janet Baker, Martin Isepp, Ambrose Gauntlett, Douglas Whittaker
Desprez: El grilloJosquin des Prez, The Hilliard Ensemble, Paul Hillier
Bennett: Songs Before Sleep: No. 1, The Mouse and the BumblebeeRichard Rodney Bennett, Jonathan Lemalu, Malcolm Martineau
Wiltschinsky: PapillonPeter Wiltschinsky, Robin Hill
Satie: Carnet d'esquisses et de croquis: No. 17, Petit prélude de "La mort de monsieur Mouche"Erik Satie, Aldo Ciccolini
Lecocq: 6 Fables de La Fontaine: No. 4, La cigale et la fourmiCharles Lecocq, Francois Le Roux, Jeff Cohen
Johnson: Where the Bee Sucks (For Shakespeare's "The Tempest")Robert Johnson, Emma Kirkby, David Thomas, Anthony Rooley
Nicolai: Die lustigen Weiber von Windsor, Act 3: Mückentanz. "Mücken, Wespen, Fliegenchor" (Spärlich, Cajus, Falstaff, Reich, Chor)Otto Nicolai, Robert Heger, Carl Hoppe, Chor der Bayerischen Staatsoper, Friedrich Lenz, Gottlob Frick, Bavarian State Orchestra
Chausson: 7 Mélodies, Op. 2: No. 3, Les papillonsErnest Chausson, Barbara Hendricks, Michel Dalberto
Roussel: Le festin de l'araignée, Op. 17, Pt. 2: XIII. Funérailles de l'ÉphémèreAlbert Roussel, Jean Martinon, Orchestre National de l'O.R.T.F.
Purcell: Dioclesian, Z. 627, Act 4: Butterfly DanceHenry Purcell, John Eliot Gardiner, English Baroque Soloists
Martin: 5 Songs of Ariel: No. 5, Where the Bee Sucks There Suck IFrank Martin, Eric Ericson, Stockholm Chamber Choir
Crumb: Black Angels "Thirteen Images from the Dark Land": Threnody I. Night of the Electric InsectsGeorge Crumb, Brodsky Quartet
Ravel: Histoires naturelles, M. 50: No. 2, Le grillonMaurice Ravel, Gabriel Bacquier, Dalton Baldwin
Samazeuilh: Le cercle des heures: V. Si j'étais une lucioleGustave Samazeuilh, Charles Münch, Éliette Schenneberg, Orchestre De La Société Des Concerts Du Conservatoire
Friml: The Firefly, Act 1: "Love Is Like a Firefly" (Nina)Rudolf Friml, Alan Braden, Stephanie Voss, The New World Show Orchestra
Mussorgsky: Mephistopheles' Song in Auerbach's Cellar "Song of the Flea"Modest Mussorgsky, Boris Christoff, Georges Tzipine, Orchestre National Radiodiffusion Française
Gallot: Dialogue ou Chaconne "La mouche"Jacques Gallot, Pascal Monteilhet
Plakidis: 2 Grasshopper Dances for Solo Violin: No. 2, Happy DancePēteris Plakidis, Gidon Kremer
Puccini: Madama Butterfly, Act 2: "Come una mosca prigioniera" (Suzuki, Butterfly)Giacomo Puccini, Victoria de los Ángeles, Miriam Pirazzini, Gabriele Santini, Orchestra Del Teatro Dell'Opera Di Roma
Elgar: The Wand of Youth, Suite No. 2, Op. 1b: III. Moths and ButterfliesEdward Elgar, Sir Adrian Boult, London Philharmonic Orchestra
Shostakovich: Romance from The GadflyDmitri Shostakovich, Daniel Lozakovich, Mikhail Pletnev
Delage: Fables de La Fontaine, Op. 20: No. 2, La cigale et la fourmiMaurice Delage, Felicity Lott, Kammersensemble de Paris, Armin Jordan
Offenbach: Orphée aux enfers, Act 2: Duo de la mouche. "Il m'a semblé sur mon épaule" (Eurydice, Jupiter)Jacques Offenbach, Marc Minkowski, Laurent Naouri, Natalie Dessay, Orchestre de Chambre de Grenoble, Orchestre de l'Opéra de Lyon
Porter: Hitchy-Koo: Bring Me Back My ButterflyCole Porter, Thomas Hampson, London Symphony Orchestra, John McGlinn
Andreyev: The ButterflyVasily Andreyev, Andreyev Imperial Russian Orchestra, Dmitri Hochlov
Wilbye: The Second Set of Madrigals: No. 17, Sweet Honey Sucking Bees: Pt. 2John Wilbye, The Hilliard Ensemble, Paul Hillier
Lincke: Lysistrata, Act 2: Glühwürmchen-Idyll. "Wen die Nacht sich niedersenkt"Paul Lincke, Erna Sack, Chor der Städtischen Oper Berlin, Hugo Diez, Orchester der Städtischen Oper, Berlin
Franck: Roses et papillons, FWV 81César Franck, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Hartmut Höll
BeeRIOPY
Caplet: 3 Fables de La Fontaine: No. 2, La cigale et la fourmiAndré Caplet, Francois Le Roux, Jeff Cohen
Fauré: Papillon, Op. 77Gabriel Fauré, Paul Tortelier, Eric Heidsieck
Messager: Madame Chrysanthème, Act 3: "Écoutez, c'est le chant des cigales" (Madame Chrysanthème)André Messager, Mady Mesplé, Pierre Dervaux, Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo