From: Michael Eckford
To: VOCALIST <vocalist>
Subject: Re: Pet/Animal Friend Recital Theme
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>

Patricia R. Combs wrote:

> Isn't there a song cycle by Ravel? I haven't done them myself, but a
> friend is working on them for her recital. I think it's titled "Trois
> Chansons." I know one of the songs is about a rat and another is about an
> alligator.

Hello Patricia,

Ravel also composed "Histoires Naturelles" ("Stories of Nature") - all about
animals - a very beautiful and difficult song cycle which I sang for my
Master's recital ("long ago in a distant galaxy..."). There is a very funny
moment when a peacock emits his mating call...

By the way, when I went to look in my garage for my long-unused copy of the
Ravel, I came across a never-used copy of Poulenc's "Le Bestiaire" ("The
Bestiary"), which also would certainly fill the bill for animal tunes...

Just about about time to go and howl at the full moon (not to mention the
lunar eclipse tomorrow)...

Michael Eckford
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

"Do not follow where the path may lead.
Go instead where there is no path
And leave a trail."