Customer Reviews

Saint-Saens Carnival of the Animals / Bizet L'Arlesienne Suites - A Naxos Musical Journey

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have wasted my money on this amateurish DVD. The Carnival is static and boring - and that's being as positive as possible - no regal Royal March here, only tired lions sitting down in the dust one after the other; the Hens and Cockerals certainly don't stretch and cackle or lay an egg as the music so beautifully suggests; the kangaroos are in fact wallabies; the fossils are photos of composers (Schubert, Mozart, Beethoven) and as such are grossly insulting. And the opportunity to show excitement of the duo pianists playing is completely missed, instead showing just an open piano on a vacant stage and empty theatre seats. All in all, very lazy photography. Not a redeeming visual moment on the entire disk, I'm afraid. And the Bizet is worse! Save your money and avoid this one.

The filming on animals and scenery looked like those done by high school kids. The music is good as expected but it would be better if it is available in audio CD rather than coming with the 3rd class video images.

For Carnival of the Animals, videos were filmed at zoos or nature parks, general shots. Seems they could have bought stock nature footage. The music has a lot of personality to each animal, or fossil, and they missed the mark on timing movements and music. Could have been very amusing. My elderly mother enjoyed it however.

My 3 year old grandson calls this one "Animal Planick," and he loves to watch the beautiful scenes with lions, elephants, tortoises, etc. This video is a wonderful way to share Saint-Saens' and Bizet's beautiful music with children. I enjoy it too!