- Orchestral suite in nine movements with narration
- 2222/423/3 percent. – strings
- Premiered April 15, 2013 – North York Concert Orchestra (Toronto)
Inspired by Saints-Saens’ iconic Carnival of the Animals, Burry’s orchestral work for young audiences provides an exciting and engaging introduction to symphony orchestra. The composer’s own comic poems frame a variety of musical styles that has children’s “roaring” in the aisles. The premiere featured beautiful original illustrations by award-wining artist Hall Train, which are available (with permission) for performances.
Like many, I LOVE DINOSAURS! I loved them as a child and somehow the wonder, science and terror of them has stayed with me as an adult. I think the reason dinos capture so many imaginations, is that powerful combination of myth and reality. These magnificent beasts seem like something ripped from a fairy tale and yet really existed. Science and fantasy all rolled into one big, scaly, tooth-filled wonder.
Like its inspiration, Saints-Saens’ Carnival of the Animals, Carnival of the Dinosaurs offers a snap shot of many of the most famous Cretaceous (and Jurassic) critters. Each movement is a tone poem, which attempts to capture the essence of various animals – the power (Diplodocus), ingenuity (Velociraptor) or tenderness (Maiasaura). The great range of colours and textures make an orchestra the perfect way to represent these varied qualities. One (or I, at least) can’t help to think of these creatures with a sense of humour as well, so listen for moments like Triceratops starting…with three horns. -Dean Burry
