Funny Animals for Symphony Orchestra

Throughout the years I have composed many pieces inspired by animals.

Starting with the The Catscratchbook, Pigs Can Fly and Fishsummer Night’s Dream, I went on to write In The Zoo and In The Zoo 2, all published by Universal Edition. So how do you follow up this wealth of animalistic fun and even try and top it? Easy: by discovering animals most people don’t even know about and writing music inspired by them.

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I can assure you, all these animals are real. But they do look and sound as if they are made up and that is why I asked the gifted writer, artist and harp player, Magdalena Hoffmann, to create texts and pictures that reflect the crazy lives of these wonderful creatures.

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To add to the fun, I have included theatrical instructions for you to follow on stage. Please feel free to be creative with them – they are merely suggestions. If you think of doing something else that fits the character of the animal and the music, please go ahead. You have my blessing. If you simply feel like playing the music only, you may do that too. Additionally I have integrated the texts into the music. But again you may perform it purely musically - it will still sound good.