Information about the piece

The Carnival of the Animals: The Aquarium is a delightful melodic piece written by Camille Saint-Saëns, a renowned French composer from the Romantic era. The composer, whose works have greatly influenced the classical music world, wrote the humorous suite The Carnival of the Animals in 1886, but he deemed it not serious enough for public performance during his lifetime. Only after his death in 1921 it was performed, and the audience reacted with enthusiasm. It has remained one of his most popular works.

The Carnival of the Animals consists of fourteen movements, each representing a different animal or group of animals. The Aquarium, the seventh movement of the suite, stands out for its dreamy and enchanting melodies, invoking the feeling of underwater life. From a musical theory perspective, The Aquarium has the following characteristics:

• It's written in A minor
• The rhythm is devoid of complexity which creates a floating sensation akin to being underwater
• The use of arpeggios and glissandi in the piano parts add to the mystery and enchantment of the piece
• It employs the use of a celesta enhancing the shimmering, aquatic effect of the music

The piece, though part of a larger suite, is often performed separately due to its unique beauty. Several adaptations of the piece have been made for different instruments, highlighting its universal appeal.

For piano players who wish to explore this enchanting classic, an intermediate level version of the sheet music for The Carnival of the Animals: The Aquarium is available for download after purchase on our website.